- A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and damaging hundreds of buildings.
- The epicenter was in San Jose Del Palmar, a municipality about 250 miles west of Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, which sustained minimal damage.
- President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an emergency and reported at least 87 injured and around 1,600 buildings damaged, including 61 completely collapsed.
- The quake was the strongest recorded in the 21st century in Colombia, according to the country’s Geological Service, and was followed by several aftershocks.
- The death toll included at least 40 in Risaralda, 27 in Valle del Cauca (including three children), nine in Choco, two in Caldas, and a 73-year-old in Antioquia.
- In Cali, residents and rescue workers searched through rubble, with 380 damaged buildings and people trapped in many of them.
- The quake also affected Pereira, Quibdo, Manizales, and was felt in Ecuador and Panama; flights were suspended in several airports.
- International aid was pledged, including $15.5 million from the U.S. State Department, and offers from El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile.
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 111 fatalities and injuring 87 people. The quake, the strongest recorded in Colombia this century, caused significant destruction, damaging around 1,600 buildings, with at least 61 completely collapsing.123
The epicenter was located in San Jose del Palmar, a small community in the Choco region, approximately 250 miles west of Bogotá. The tremor was felt across several cities, including Cali, Pereira, and Quibdo, and even in neighboring countries like Ecuador and Panama. Local authorities reported that the death toll included victims from various regions, with 40 fatalities in Risaralda and 27 in Valle del Cauca, among others.4591011121314
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency to facilitate recovery efforts, stating, “We aren’t going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination.” Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working tirelessly to locate survivors trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.67
In response to the disaster, the U.S. State Department announced a commitment of $15.5 million for emergency aid, while regional leaders from El Salvador and Chile have offered assistance, reflecting a united front in the face of this tragedy.151617
“The quake, centered in San Jose Del Palmar, was Colombia's strongest recorded in the 21st century, with at least 87 injured and 1,600 buildings damaged, including 61 collapsed. The U.S. pledged $15.5 million in aid, while El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile offered assistance.”
AP News
