A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, leaving more than 100 people dead and hundreds injured. The tremor, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, originated near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, approximately 400 kilometers west of the capital, Bogotá. According to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), the epicenter lay at a depth of around 96 kilometers, while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) placed it slightly deeper, at about 107 kilometers. The quake was felt across much of the country, with reports from neighboring nations including Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. The death toll has risen to at least 111, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella, who announced the figure during a crisis meeting. At least 47 people were killed in the heavily affected city of Pereira, which lies just west of Bogotá. Police Chief Óscar Leonel Ochoa confirmed these figures in an interview with radio station Caracol. Additional casualties were reported in other regions, with 40 deaths recorded in the Risaralda Department, 27 in the Valle del Cauca, four in Chocó, and one in Antioquia. The situation in Pereira and its neighboring town, Dosquebradas, was described as “critical” by local authorities. Damage assessments indicate that over 1,500 homes have been affected, with 61 buildings collapsing entirely. The president pledged to provide updates every two to three hours to keep the public informed. In Cali, the third-largest city in the country, at least 20 structures collapsed, and several individuals are believed to be trapped under rubble. The city’s mayor, Alejandro Eder, has requested assistance from fire departments in Bogotá and Medellín to aid in rescue operations. The University Hospital of Valle in Cali had to partially evacuate patients due to structural concerns. In Manizales, located in the heart of the coffee region, severe damage was reported, including the collapse of the tower of the cathedral and extensive structural damage to university buildings. Schools and universities there have been temporarily closed, and a temporary shelter has been set up at the Coliseo Mayor. Power outages and communication disruptions were widespread, affecting parts of the southwest. Approximately 18 percent of the country's electricity demand could not be met at times. In Medellín, subway lines A and B, along with several cable car routes, were temporarily shut down for safety inspections. In Bogotá, the earthquake triggered intense shaking lasting about two minutes, prompting large-scale evacuations of residential and office buildings. Despite the chaos, the city’s mayor, Carlos Galán, reported no fatalities or major infrastructure damage after initial checks. The national aviation authority ordered the suspension of commercial flights at six regional airports, including those in Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó, to inspect potential damage to runways and facilities. The quake’s reach extended far beyond Colombia, with residents in Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama reporting sensations of movement. Even in Manaus, Brazil, nearly 2,000 kilometers away, residents noted swaying high-rise buildings, leading to localized safety inspections. The Colombian maritime and port authority quickly issued a statement dismissing fears of a tsunami along the Pacific coast. Key hydroelectric plants remained unaffected, according to their operators. President de la Espriella, who took office just days earlier, swiftly responded to the disaster by declaring a national emergency, convening a crisis cabinet, and announcing plans to travel to the affected area. He also committed to establishing a joint crisis coordination center in San José del Palmar to oversee relief efforts and support victims. As search and rescue teams continue their work, the focus remains on assessing the full extent of the damage and providing immediate aid to those impacted.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Germany
