Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia, Killing at Least 111

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87, while rescuers searched damaged buildings for survivors and authorities declared a national emergency.

The earthquake struck at about 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, roughly 400 kilometres west of Bogotá. The US Geological Survey placed the quake at a depth of about 107 kilometres.

The powerful tremor was felt across large parts of Colombia and in neighbouring countries, including Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

The earthquake caused widespread structural damage across several regions, with more than 20 municipalities reporting impacts.

Cities including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales were among the areas affected. Hundreds of buildings were damaged, while some collapsed completely, leaving residents trapped beneath rubble.

Reports indicated particularly serious damage in parts of the coffee-growing region. In Cali, multiple buildings were reported to have collapsed, while damage was also recorded to homes, public infrastructure and other facilities.

Rescue teams were deployed to search collapsed structures and evacuate injured residents. Emergency operations were complicated by the remoteness of some affected communities in Chocó, one of Colombia’s poorer and more difficult-to-access regions.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had only recently assumed office, declared a national emergency following the disaster.

The president said the government’s immediate priority was saving lives, locating people trapped under debris and providing assistance to communities affected by the earthquake.

Government agencies and emergency responders were mobilised as authorities assessed the full extent of the destruction.

Several airports in the affected region were also disrupted, with damage reported at facilities serving cities including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.

Officials warned that the casualty figures could change as rescue teams reach more remote locations and continue searching damaged buildings.

The current toll of 111 deaths and 87 injuries reported by the Associated Press and Reuters reflects the latest available figures, but rescue operations remain ongoing.

The scale of the disaster has raised fears that additional victims could be discovered in collapsed structures.

The earthquake is already being described as one of Colombia’s deadliest seismic disasters in decades. Its impact has been particularly severe because of the combination of widespread shaking, damaged buildings and difficult access to some affected communities.

Authorities have also warned residents to remain alert for aftershocks following the main earthquake.

People in affected areas were seen leaving buildings and gathering outside as emergency workers inspected structures for further damage.

The disaster has left Colombia facing a major humanitarian and rescue operation as officials work to account for victims, restore essential services and provide shelter and medical assistance to those displaced.

International offers of assistance were also beginning to emerge, with countries and international organisations offering support to Colombia.

The full scale of the destruction is expected to become clearer as emergency crews reach more communities and communications are restored.