UPDATE | 169 dead, 600 injured after powerful Colombia earthquake

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread damage and triggering evacuations in multiple cities. The tremor, which originated 100 kilometers beneath the surface, was felt in neighboring countries including Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. Initial reports from the Colombian Geological Service placed the magnitude at 6.6 before it was revised upward by the U.S. Geological Survey. Authorities in Colombia have ruled out the possibility of a tsunami following the quake. The quake hit during the early morning hours, prompting immediate responses from local authorities and emergency services. In Bogota, the capital, residents fled their homes as emergency sirens sounded, some emerging in pajamas. The city’s mayor, Carlos Galan, stated that damage in the national capital was primarily limited to cracked facades of buildings and homes. However, in Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, at least 20 buildings collapsed, trapping individuals inside, according to the city’s mayor, Alejandro Eder. Drones were deployed to assess the extent of the damage in the area. In the coastal city of Quibdo, located in the Choco province, Governor Luis Fernando Gómez reported injuries and significant structural damage. Video footage obtained by AFP journalists showed a collapsed building in the city, highlighting the severity of the situation. Similar scenes unfolded in other parts of the country, with buildings collapsing in cities such as Pereira and Manizales within the Eje Cafetero region, a popular tourist destination known for its coffee plantations. Residents described the quake as “strong” and “really strong,” with one elderly woman, Martha Estrada, recounting how objects fell from her home during the shaking. Emergency crews worked swiftly to rescue those trapped in the rubble, though the exact number of casualties remained unclear. The civil aviation authority suspended operations at six small airports in western Colombia, disrupting regional air travel. Meanwhile, President Abelardo de la Espriella announced plans to visit the affected areas to oversee relief efforts and provide support to the communities impacted by the disaster. This earthquake follows a series of twin quakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. Those events resulted in over 6,000 fatalities and extensive property damage, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to seismic activity. While the current quake has not yet been linked to the earlier disasters, experts warn that the Andean region remains prone to frequent and sometimes catastrophic earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with ongoing assessments of infrastructure damage and potential secondary hazards. Emergency shelters have been set up in affected areas, and aid organizations are mobilizing resources to assist displaced residents. As the days progress, further updates on the toll of the disaster and the long-term recovery efforts will likely emerge. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of those in the affected regions and providing timely assistance to those in need.