Colombia Earthquake Kills At Least 132 As Rescue Teams Search For Survivors.
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, killing at least 132 people and injuring hundreds as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings for survivors.
The earthquake struck on Monday in the San Jose del Palmar area of the Choco region, around 400 kilometres west of the capital, Bogota. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres. The powerful tremor was felt across large parts of western Colombia and in neighbouring countries including Ecuador and Panama. At least 21 aftershocks were recorded in the hours following the main earthquake, adding to concerns among residents and emergency workers.
Several major cities were badly affected, including Cali, Pereira, Quibdo and Manizales. Buildings were damaged or destroyed, while emergency teams faced difficult conditions as they searched for people believed to be trapped beneath rubble. In Cali, Colombia's third largest city, local officials reported that at least 20 buildings had collapsed and around 380 others were damaged. Rescue workers and local residents worked together to remove debris from damaged structures, with volunteers forming human chains to move rubble away from collapsed buildings.
The situation was also severe in Pereira, where authorities reported extensive structural damage. Rescue workers continued searching buildings where people were feared to be trapped. Officials said at least 40 people were killed in the Risaralda region, which includes Pereira. Another 27 deaths were reported in the Valle del Cauca region, where Cali is located, including three children.
Near the earthquake's epicentre in Choco, communications problems made it difficult for authorities to assess the full scale of the disaster. Local officials reported deaths and injuries in the region, while community leaders said many people remained missing.
The number of people reported missing increased rapidly following the earthquake. One digital database had received reports concerning more than 1,400 missing people, mainly from Cali and Pereira, although authorities warned that the situation remained fluid.
In Pereira, images from local media showed parts of the airport ceiling falling while passengers took shelter. Several buildings were also reported to have collapsed. Manizales suffered damage to one of its most recognisable landmarks when a side tower of the city's neo Gothic cathedral collapsed, sending debris into nearby streets.
Authorities also temporarily suspended operations at several airports in western Colombia, including those serving Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. Engineers were carrying out structural inspections to determine whether the facilities were safe to operate.
Colombia's government declared a national state of emergency as it mobilised resources for rescue and relief operations. President Abelardo de La Espriella said the government's first priority was reaching people trapped beneath the rubble and providing assistance to affected communities. The earthquake is being described by Colombian authorities as the strongest recorded in the country during the 21st century.
Although Colombia experiences earthquakes regularly because of its location along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, earthquakes above magnitude 6 are relatively uncommon. The scale and depth of Monday's earthquake contributed to the widespread concern and damage.
International assistance has also begun to arrive. The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency aid to support shelter, food and other earthquake response efforts. Several Latin American countries have offered assistance, including El Salvador, Mexico and Chile. Other countries, including Israel, Ecuador and France, have also expressed their willingness to support Colombia's emergency response.
Rescue operations remain focused on locating people who may still be trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Emergency workers are being assisted by local residents and volunteers as authorities attempt to reach the worst affected areas.
With communications still disrupted in some regions and hundreds of people reported missing, authorities warned that the full impact of the earthquake may not yet be known. The focus remains on saving lives, treating the injured and providing emergency support to communities affected by one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Colombia in decades.
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