A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck western Colombia on Monday evening, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming more than 69 lives. Hundreds of people were injured, and authorities fear the death toll could rise further as many remain trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was located near the town of San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers. The tremor caused severe damage in cities including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales. In Pereira alone, at least 18 people were killed, Mayor Mauricio Salazar confirmed. In Manizales, one of the towers of the historic neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed.
The impact was also felt in neighboring Ecuador. Six airports in western Colombia, including those in Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó, sustained damage, leading authorities to temporarily suspend flight operations. Power and communication networks failed in several areas, while residents in the capital Bogotá were seen evacuating their homes.
Colombia’s newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella announced that he is personally overseeing the emergency response. He ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post under the National Disaster Management agency to assess the damage and deliver immediate aid to victims. The president said he would travel to the affected city of Pereira to review relief operations on the ground.
“In this difficult time, I tell the people of Colombia only one thing: You are not alone. The government stands with you. We will take every necessary measure for the reconstruction of the affected areas,” President de la Espriella stated on the social media platform X.
Although Colombia frequently experiences minor tremors, earthquakes exceeding magnitude 6.0 are relatively rare. Rescue teams continue to search through the debris as the full extent of the tragedy unfolds.
Massive 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia, Killing Over 69
