Powerful earthquake kills over 100 in Colombia

A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 111 people dead and dozens injured. The seismic event, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó department, occurred at a depth of 107 kilometers and was felt across the country, including the capital, Bogotá.

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The priority is to try to rescue the people who are still under the rubble.

Authorities reported significant casualties and structural damage in multiple regions, with the Risaralda region alone accounting for dozens of deaths. Cities like Cali, Colombia's third-largest, experienced severe impacts, including the collapse of at least 30 buildings and people trapped under the rubble. Mayor Alejandro Eder urged residents to check infrastructure for damage and evacuate if necessary.

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structural damage

President Abelardo De la Espriella, who recently took office, declared a state of national disaster to expedite the mobilization of resources to the hardest-hit areas. Rescue operations are underway, with a particular focus on freeing individuals trapped in collapsed structures, including patients at a partially fallen hospital in Cali. The president stated that the priority is to rescue those still buried.

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large cracks

Several airports in affected cities, including Pereira, Manizales, and Buenaventura, sustained damage, leading to the suspension of flight operations. While the capital, Bogotá, experienced strong tremors and building evacuations, initial reports indicated no major injuries or structural damage there, only some cracks in buildings. The USGS estimated that over 2 million people were exposed to very strong shaking, potentially causing considerable damage to poorly constructed buildings.

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At this time there are no reports of injuries or structural damage, only some cracks in buildings.