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๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France /Disasters & Emergencies

"It looked like the end of the world": In Colombia, images of the damage from the decade's most powerful earthquake

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, causing widespread damage and casualties.
  • Over a hundred people died and more than 500 were injured in the strongest quake of the decade.
  • Devastating images show the scale of destruction across several Colombian cities.

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked Colombia on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming over a hundred lives. More than 500 people were injured in the strongest seismic event to hit the country in a decade. The quake's epicenter was located near the town of El Tarra in the Norte de Santander department, close to the border with Venezuela.

Images emerging from the affected regions paint a grim picture of the devastation. Buildings suffered significant damage, with some collapsing entirely. Roads were fractured, and infrastructure sustained heavy blows. The sheer force of the earthquake was palpable, with residents describing scenes of chaos and fear. One witness recounted, "It felt like the end of the world," capturing the terror experienced by many.

The seismic activity has prompted widespread concern and immediate response efforts. Emergency services are working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide aid to those affected. The event serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic activity, highlighting the need for preparedness and robust infrastructure to withstand such natural disasters.

It felt like the end of the world.

โ€” WitnessA witness describes the terrifying experience of the earthquake, conveying the immense fear and chaos.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.