A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia and neighboring Ecuador on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring thousands. The quake, which was felt across much of South America, hit the municipality of San José del Palmar in the Chocó department at approximately 7:34 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located about 103 kilometers deep, marking the largest seismic event recorded in Colombia this century. Emergency responders in several regions reported widespread destruction, with collapsed buildings trapping numerous individuals and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. Colombia’s newly inaugurated president, Abelardo De La Espriella, announced a national disaster declaration to facilitate coordinated relief efforts. He personally took charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar and established a Unified Command Post to oversee operations. Officials await a detailed report on the situation before finalizing their response strategy. In Valle del Cauca, one of the hardest-hit regions, Governor Dilian Francisca Toro described the situation as “serious.” She reported 27 deaths, including three children, and noted that the University Hospital of the Valley suffered structural collapses. Rescue and evacuation operations were ongoing, with medical staff working tirelessly to treat the wounded. In Chocó, Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi confirmed 12 deaths and 84 injuries, with damage assessments still under way. She emphasized that the capital city of Quibdó, located about 188 miles northwest of the epicenter, experienced significant building damage. In Pereira, a city situated about 35 miles from the epicenter, Mayor Mauricio Salazar reported 18 fatalities. Nearby, Manizales Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas noted two deaths. In Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia, Mayor Alejandro Eder described the devastation, stating that at least 20 buildings had collapsed with people trapped inside. Emergency teams began setting up temporary shelters and clearing rubble to locate survivors. Residents like Luis Angel Sarrio, a taxi driver in Cali, recounted the severity of the quake, describing it as “very severe” and expressing sorrow over the lives lost. The earthquake disrupted air travel across several cities, with airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura temporarily closed for safety inspections. Popayán airport in Cauca operated under restricted conditions due to an unrelated volcanic alert. Authorities in Bogotá, the capital, issued evacuation orders as a precautionary measure, though the city remained unaffected by direct damage. International organizations, including the United Nations, joined the national response effort. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 1,495 people were injured, and at least 126 had died. Nearly 5,000 homes were damaged, with 387 completely destroyed. Over 61 buildings collapsed, and more than 550 educational institutions, 24 health facilities, and 350 community centers were impacted. While no formal request for international aid had been made, the UN system stood ready to provide support should such a need arise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported damage to 24 health facilities across six departments, with Valle del Cauca experiencing the most severe impact. In Cali, key facilities such as Hospital Universitario del Valle and Clinica Nuestra were affected, prompting evacuations and emergency interventions. UNICEF and UNDP collaborated with local authorities to assess needs and support vulnerable populations, particularly children and adolescents. Mexican volunteer rescue groups, including Topos Azteca, arrived in Colombia to assist with search-and-rescue operations following reports of survivors trapped in collapsed structures. These efforts underscored the global nature of the humanitarian response, with international teams prepared to contribute to recovery efforts.
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