Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Devastates Colombia, Leaving 132 Dead and 570 Injured

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked Colombia on Monday, claiming at least 132 lives and injuring more than 570 people. The tremor, which struck at 7:34 a.m. local time, had its epicenter in the municipality of San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, at a depth of 103 kilometers, according to the Colombian Geological Service.

The seismic event caused widespread damage across a significant portion of western and central Colombia. The casualty figures released by the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales) primarily detail the impact in major urban centers. However, the association noted that this count does not include victims from surrounding towns and villages that also suffered building collapses and damage to critical infrastructure, including hospitals, airports, public services, and transportation systems.

Pereira, the capital of the Risaralda department, which is near the epicenter, reported the highest number of fatalities with 60 deaths. The city also experienced two building collapses and is currently the site of ongoing rescue operations at 15 critical points. The Megacable public teleferic system in Pereira trapped 16 people, and the Matecaña International Airport remains closed due to roof damage.

Other major cities like Cali, Quibdó, Manizales, and Armenia are on high alert due to the extensive damage. These cities collectively reported at least 86 collapsed buildings, and six airports have suspended operations. The earthquake's impact has severely disrupted transportation and essential services, exacerbating the challenges faced by affected communities.