At least 111 killed as powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes western Colombia

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, killing at least 111 people, injuring dozens more, and causing widespread destruction that toppled buildings across several cities. The quake, the strongest recorded in the country this century according to Colombian authorities, has handed newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella his first major test just days into office.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time (12:34 GMT) at a depth of about 107 kilometers (66 miles) near San José del Palmar in the sparsely populated Chocó department, roughly 400 kilometers west of Bogotá. Colombia’s geological service described it as the highest-magnitude quake registered in the country in the past decade. Shaking was felt across much of the nation and in neighboring countries including Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. The USGS had warned of potentially significant casualties and widespread damage.

President de la Espriella, who was sworn in on August 7 and had never previously held public office, said preliminary figures showed 111 dead and 87 injured, with 1,575 homes damaged (including 37 completely destroyed), 61 buildings collapsed, and damage to 18 health centers and 52 schools. He declared a national disaster, convened a special disaster management committee, and assumed direct leadership of the emergency response. “The first priority is rescuing the people trapped under the rubble,” he said, suspending planned activities to coordinate efforts from Bogotá before traveling to affected areas.

The heaviest toll appeared in Risaralda department in Colombia’s coffee-growing region. Governor Juan Diego Patiño reported at least 42 deaths there. In the provincial capital of Pereira, social media videos showed buildings collapsing and clouds of dust and debris rising as people fled. Rescue teams continued searching collapsed structures for survivors.

In Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 30 buildings had collapsed, with people still trapped at around 10 sites. Television footage showed firefighters and Red Cross workers pulling survivors from the rubble. The city had not yet confirmed a final death toll. In Manizales, a church tower collapsed and at least three people were reported dead. Buildings also fell in the Pacific port of Buenaventura, trapping residents.

Six airports suffered infrastructure damage and commercial flights were suspended while inspections continued. Authorities reported impacts on highways and other infrastructure as well.

The intermediate depth of the quake allowed shaking to be felt over a wide area but somewhat mitigated the intensity at the surface compared with a shallower event of similar magnitude. Aftershocks, including one of magnitude 4.8, were recorded. Search-and-rescue operations remained underway in multiple locations as of late Monday, with the death toll expected to rise as more information emerges from remote areas and ongoing recovery efforts.