Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 47 in Western Colombia

A devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 47 people dead and causing extensive damage, including the collapse of numerous buildings across several cities. The seismic event has trapped residents under debris and forced evacuations, with tremors felt as far away as the capital, Bogotá.

The epicenter was identified in San Jose Del Palmar, a small community in the Choco region approximately 400 kilometers west of Bogotá. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake struck at a depth of 107 kilometers. While the earthquake was also felt in neighboring Ecuador and Panama, minimal damage was reported in those countries. However, within Colombia, the impact was severe, particularly in the cities of Pereira, Manizales, and the Valle de Cauca department, which includes Cali, the nation's third-largest city.

Local officials confirmed the grim toll, with at least 18 fatalities in Pereira, two in Manizales, and 27 in Valle de Cauca. The cities of Pereira, Quibdo, Cali, and Manizales bore the brunt of the destruction, with search and rescue teams working amidst the rubble of collapsed structures. Authorities expressed concerns about potential aftershocks.

Jorge Moncayo, a 64-year-old taxi driver in Cali, described the terrifying experience, stating, "My entire house shook. I’ve never lived through such a powerful earthquake." The Colombian Geological Service declared it the highest magnitude earthquake registered in Colombia in the last decade, followed by two aftershocks. Flight operations were suspended at several airports, including Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Pereira.

The earthquake has left Colombians on edge, particularly after back-to-back quakes devastated neighboring Venezuela in late June, resulting in over 5,000 deaths and destroying hundreds of buildings. The ongoing search for loved ones in Venezuela's ruins adds to the regional anxiety.

“

My entire house shook. I’ve never lived through such a powerful earthquake.