- A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake jolted western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 20 people, according to Reuters.
- Of the fatalities, 18 were from the town of Pereira, according to Mayor Mauricio Salazar, who described the situation as "critical".
- At least 20 people have died following the earthquake, with 18 deaths in Pereira and 2 deaths in Manizales, according to local officials.
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has convened an emergency committee and will personally lead efforts to assist affected communities from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
- The Colombian Army is deploying five platoons of rescue soldiers to areas across Colombia that may require attention, and Bogotá is sending 100 rescuers to affected cities.
- The earthquake was also felt in parts of Venezuela, particularly in the border states of Táchira and Zulia, where the government is assessing the situation and emergency response agencies have been deployed.
At least 20 people have died following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday morning, with the epicenter located in San Jose Del Palmar, approximately 400 kilometers west of Bogotá. The earthquake, which occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, was felt across several cities, including Pereira, Cali, and Quibdó, leading to widespread panic and evacuations.12345689
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at a depth of 107 kilometers. Mayor Mauricio Salazar of Pereira reported that 18 fatalities were confirmed in his city, while two additional deaths were reported in Manizales. The mayor described the situation as "critical", with many residents trapped under debris and numerous buildings collapsed.
Local media footage showed extensive damage, with homes and small buildings reduced to rubble. The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi, confirmed injuries and severe structural damage in Quibdó, expressing concern over potential aftershocks. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has convened an emergency committee to address the disaster, stating he will "personally lead efforts" to assist affected communities.7
In response, the Colombian Army is deploying five platoons of rescue soldiers to assist in recovery efforts. Bogotá's mayor announced that 100 rescuers are prepared to assist in the hardest-hit areas. The earthquake's impact was felt as far as Ecuador and Venezuela, with emergency services activated in those regions as well.10
The USGS indicated that over 2 million people experienced very strong shaking, raising concerns about significant casualties and damage, particularly in poorly constructed buildings. The potential for fatalities could exceed 1,000 based on the severity of the shaking.
“The quake exposed over 2 million people to very strong shaking, with USGS warning of a one-in-three chance fatalities could top 1,000. In Manizales, Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas reported destroyed buildings and suspended cable car service, while President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office Friday, is personally leading the emergency response.”
