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Injuries and Severe Damage Reported After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia's Chocó Region
🇨🇴 Colombia /Disasters & Emergencies

Injuries and Severe Damage Reported After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia's Chocó Region

From El Tiempo · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó.
  • Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba reported injuries and significant damage to buildings in Quibdó and other municipalities.
  • Authorities are assessing the damage, and while no tsunami threat exists for the Pacific coast, structural damage has been reported across western Colombia.

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Colombia on August 10, causing widespread damage and injuries, particularly in the Chocó department. The tremor's epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, but its effects were felt strongly in the regional capital, Quibdó, where buildings sustained severe damage.

There are injured people and serious damage to buildings.

— Nubia Carolina CórdobaDescribing the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Chocó.

Nubia Carolina Córdoba, the governor of Chocó, confirmed the extent of the devastation. "There are injured people and serious damage to buildings," she stated, adding that an assessment was underway to compile an official report. The governor highlighted that areas like Quibdó, Alto Baudó, and Bajo Baudó experienced "monstrous" damage, with social media showing collapsed buildings and houses.

Although the epicenter was San José del Palmar, in the capital Quibdó there are injured people and serious damage to buildings. We are already carrying out the damage assessment to issue the first official report.

— Nubia Carolina CórdobaProviding an update on the earthquake's impact in the Chocó department.

While the immediate focus is on the affected areas in Chocó, the earthquake's impact extended to other regions. Cities in western Colombia and the Coffee Axis, including Armenia and Manizales, reported significant structural damage. In Manizales, a dome of the Cathedral Basilica Nuestra Señora del Rosario collapsed, and historic buildings suffered damage. In Cali, parts of shopping centers and residential buildings were affected.

I have personally taken the lead in addressing the emergency in San José del Palmar. I have ordered the installation of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damage and the affected people.

— Abelardo De La EspriellaAnnouncing his direct involvement in managing the earthquake crisis.

President Abelardo De La Espriella, who had recently taken office, declared he was personally leading the emergency response coordination from San José del Palmar. He ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post and requested a detailed report from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). The president also announced plans to visit Pereira to support those affected and ensure the government's response. The Colombian Geological Service confirmed the earthquake's depth at 96 kilometers and assured that there was no tsunami threat to the Pacific coast.

I have requested the director of the UNGRD for a detailed report on the situation and the most urgent needs. I will also be personally in Pereira to accompany those affected and verify the Government's response. You are not alone. The State is present and acting.

— Abelardo De La EspriellaReassuring affected citizens and outlining government actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Tiempo in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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