Magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocks western Colombia, thousands missing

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, leaving cities like Pereira and Cali devastated. The quake, with its epicenter just 60 kilometers away, caused buildings in Pereira to collapse, some reduced to rubble, while parts of the Cali airport's ceiling gave way. Residents in Manizales witnessed the partial collapse of a Neo-Gothic cathedral tower.

Rescue operations are underway, but hampered by a lack of heavy machinery and the challenging terrain in some jungle-affected regions. Juan Carlos Osorio, assisting in Cali, described the terrifying sound of collapsing buildings and the community's efforts to form human chains for rescue, emphasizing the urgent need for heavy equipment due to the large number of people trapped. As of the report, over 2,700 individuals were registered as missing on various online platforms, adding to the grim tally of 132 confirmed deaths.

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The sound of buildings collapsing was like bombs exploding. Our neighbors are forming human chains to help rescue efforts, but we need heavy equipment. There are too many people trapped.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who took office just days prior on August 7, declared a national disaster and prioritized rescue efforts. He announced on social media platform X that a unified command center is assessing the damage and coordinating relief for displaced persons, directing the immediate mobilization of all national resources. International support has been pledged by the United Nations, the United States, El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile.

The earthquake's impact was felt across several key western cities, including Armenia and Quibdó on the Pacific coast. This event follows a significant earthquake in Venezuela in late June, which resulted in over 6,300 deaths, heightening regional anxiety. Geologists suggest the earthquake's depth and strike-slip fault motion may have contributed to its destructive power, despite its magnitude.

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The nation's entire capacity must be mobilized immediately.