Colombia Earthquake Kills at Least 111
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, killing at least 111 people and causing extensive damage across several regions. The U.S. Geological Survey located the epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, west of Bogotá. Shaking was also reported in Pereira, Manizales, Cali, and neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.
The earthquake, recorded at a depth of about 103 kilometers, was described by the Colombian Geological Service as the country’s strongest in a decade. Two aftershocks, measuring magnitudes 2.8 and 4.8, were reported later Monday. Authorities said there was no tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat.
Risaralda recorded at least 40 deaths, while Valle del Cauca reported at least 27. President Abelardo De La Espriella said at least 87 people were injured. Officials also received reports of residents trapped beneath collapsed structures, as emergency teams continued assessing affected communities.
More than 1,500 homes were damaged, including some that were destroyed. Hospitals, clinics, schools, commercial buildings, and other infrastructure also sustained damage. Airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura temporarily suspended operations while authorities conducted safety inspections.
De La Espriella, who took office only days before the disaster, said he had assumed direct leadership of the emergency response and traveled to Bogotá to coordinate government action. He later declared an emergency and pledged support for survivors and reconstruction in damaged areas.
The International Rescue Committee said teams near the epicenter were monitoring damage, particularly to medical facilities. The organization noted that some affected communities were already dealing with armed conflict and poverty before the earthquake. Rescue efforts and damage assessments remained underway as officials worked to determine the disaster’s full scale. Authorities warned that casualty and damage figures could change as communications improved and responders reached remote locations across the western region.