At least 111 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia. The disaster brought down buildings and left residents trapped beneath rubble.
According to Reuters, the earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region on Monday. It was felt across several major cities, including Cali, Pereira and the capital, Bogotá. Moreover, emergency teams were deployed as authorities received reports of widespread structural damage.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 87 people had been injured. In addition, 61 buildings had collapsed following the disaster.
His government declared a national disaster to accelerate the release of emergency resources. This action will also support rescue operations in the worst-hit areas.
Rescuers search collapsed buildings
Some of the heaviest casualties were recorded in Risaralda, where authorities said at least 42 people had died.
Rescue workers continued searching damaged buildings in Pereira and surrounding communities. Meanwhile, officials warned that more people could still be trapped.
Cali was also badly affected, with local authorities reporting dozens of collapsed structures.
One resident, Juan Carlos Osorio, described the moment a building came crashing down.
“The building completely collapsed. It sounded like a bomb. It was horrible,” he said.
Calling for more rescue equipment, Osorio added, “We need heavy equipment. There are many people trapped.”
Emergency crews worked through piles of concrete and debris. At the same time, residents gathered around damaged neighbourhoods waiting for information about relatives and neighbours.
Airports shut as earthquake disrupts travel
The earthquake also disrupted air travel across western Colombia.
Authorities temporarily suspended operations at airports serving Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. They did this while engineers inspected facilities for structural damage.
In Manizales, part of the tower of the city’s cathedral collapsed, while homes and other buildings were damaged.
The tremor was also felt beyond Colombia’s borders, including parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.
Authorities, however, said the earthquake did not pose a tsunami threat.
President tells victims: ‘You are not alone’
De la Espriella cancelled other engagements to oversee the emergency response as rescue operations intensified.
Addressing people affected by the disaster, the president said, “You are not alone.”
The earthquake represents one of the first major emergencies confronting his administration after he recently took office.
Several countries have also offered assistance to Colombia as rescue teams continue working across the affected regions.
Officials have warned residents to remain cautious because of possible aftershocks. Additionally, they said to avoid entering buildings that may have suffered structural damage.
With rescue operations still underway and some people believed to remain beneath collapsed structures, authorities have warned that the number of casualties could rise.
