At least 111 people have died, and dozens more have been injured after a powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) in the Chocó region at an intermediate depth of 107km (66 miles). Tremors were felt across Colombia and in neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.
The disaster comes less than two months after twin earthquakes in neighbouring Venezuela killed more than 6,100 people.
Widespread Collapses and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
In the city of Cali, located roughly 200km from the epicentre, Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed that at least 32 buildings had collapsed. Emergency crews have rescued 38 survivors so far, though fatalities have also been reported in the city.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams working through rubble to locate trapped residents. Mayor Eder noted that local emergency response units—recently deployed to assist with relief efforts for the Venezuelan earthquake—are actively managing the crisis.
According to the USGS, an estimated 1.5 million people experienced “very strong” shaking that could damage unreinforced masonry structures. Seismologists noted that while intermediate-depth quakes typically cause less surface destruction than shallow events, the shockwave released frequencies that proved particularly damaging to structural infrastructure.
Government and International Response
Colombia’s Vice-President, José Manuel Restrepo Abondano, stated on social media that the government is mobilizing emergency support for affected communities and expressed gratitude for international assistance.
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU has activated its Copernicus satellite mapping system to assist Colombian rescue teams and stands ready to dispatch further aid.
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