A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, shaking major cities including Bogotá and Cali, with reports of injuries and damaged buildings. The tremor registered at magnitude 7.4 according to both the Colombian Geological Service and the United States Geological Survey. It occurred at 7:34 local time with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, at a depth of approximately 100 kilometers. The quake was felt strongly in the west of the country and was also reported in neighboring Ecuador and Panama, prompting evacuations in several areas. The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, confirmed through social media that there were injuries and severe damage to buildings in Quibdó, the capital of the impoverished department. She stated that authorities were conducting damage assessments to issue an official report. However, she did not provide specific numbers of casualties or affected structures. In Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia, Mayor Alejandro Eder reported serious damage being monitored using drones. He requested assistance from Bogotá and Medellín for rescue operations, stating that at least 19 buildings had collapsed with people trapped inside. In Bogotá, buildings were evacuated following the quake, with journalists from AFP observing people in pajamas exiting onto the streets amid the sound of sirens. The earthquake was more intensely felt in the western part of the country and was also perceived in Quito, Ecuador, and Panama. This follows another significant seismic event on June 24, which included two quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5, causing over 6,000 deaths and widespread destruction in nearby Venezuela. Local media showed images of collapsed houses in cities such as Pereira and Manizales within the tourist region known as the Coffee Axis. Martha Estrada, a 66-year-old resident who experienced the quake in this area, told AFP that there was no electricity or cellular network coverage, describing the tremor as extremely intense. She noted that items fell from her home during the quake. Another report indicated that the earthquake measured 6.7, affecting multiple cities across the country, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. While some discrepancies exist regarding the exact magnitude, all accounts confirm the widespread impact of the quake across several regions. In Japan, a separate incident captured global attention when a video showed chaos in an operating room during a sudden earthquake. Medical staff and patients reacted swiftly to the unexpected tremor, highlighting the unpredictable nature of seismic activity even in well-prepared environments. Authorities continue to assess the situation in Colombia, focusing on rescue efforts and damage evaluation. Emergency services have been deployed to affected areas, while officials work to establish a clearer picture of the extent of the disaster. Residents remain on high alert for potential aftershocks, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the immediate aftermath of the quake.
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