A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87 others, as rescue teams raced to search collapsed buildings for survivors.
The earthquake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, about 400 kilometres west of the capital Bogotá. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres.
The tremor was felt across a wide area of Colombia, including Bogotá, as well as neighbouring Ecuador and Panama. Thousands of frightened residents rushed out of homes and buildings as the ground shook.
Buildings collapse as rescue operation expands
Several cities suffered significant damage, with hundreds of buildings affected. Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and Manizales were among the areas reporting destruction.
In Cali, authorities reported multiple building collapses, while emergency workers searched through rubble for people who may still be trapped. Rescue teams have been mobilised from major cities, with authorities deploying additional personnel and equipment to the worst-hit areas.
The remote and mountainous terrain of Chocó has complicated rescue efforts, making it difficult for emergency teams to reach some communities.
Colombia declares national emergency
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency following the disaster, allowing the government to speed up the allocation of funds and resources for rescue and recovery operations. He also pledged full government support for affected communities.
The earthquake is being described as Colombia’s strongest in the past decade. Aftershocks were also reported, raising concerns about further damage to already weakened structures.
Several airports were temporarily affected, while emergency authorities continued assessing damage across more than 20 municipalities. International assistance has also begun to be offered as Colombia confronts one of its most serious natural disasters in recent years.
Officials have warned that the death toll could change as rescue teams gain access to damaged areas and continue searching through collapsed structures