Earthquake injures people, collapses buildings in Colombian city

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake has shaken a large part of Colombia, causing injuries and significant structural damage in the city of Quibdó, the capital of the Chocó department. The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in San José del Palmar, at a depth of 82 kilometers, according to the Colombian Geological Service.

Images circulating on social media depict multiple buildings in various Quibdó neighborhoods that have either partially or fully collapsed. Residents were seen fleeing into the streets in panic. The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, confirmed the seismic event via her X account, stating, "We have just experienced a serious seismic event in the department of Chocó. Although the epicenter was San José del Palmar, there are injuries and serious damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdó."

Governor Córdoba indicated that damage assessments were underway to issue an official report. The earthquake's impact was also felt in other cities closer to the epicenter, including Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Medellín, located in the western and central parts of the country. The Chocó department is identified as one of Colombia's poorest regions, reportedly lacking adequate resources to manage an emergency of this magnitude.

“

We have just experienced a serious seismic event in the department of Chocó. Although the epicenter was San José del Palmar, there are injuries and serious damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdó.