A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87, according to Colombian authorities.
The earthquake struck on August 10, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. The tremor was felt across a wide area of Colombia, including major cities such as Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and Manizales. Shaking was also reported in neighbouring countries.
Authorities said the earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across several departments. Around 1,600 buildings were reported to have been damaged, including 61 that collapsed completely.
Pereira, the capital of Risaralda, was among the worst-affected areas. Emergency crews and local residents searched damaged buildings for people who may have been trapped beneath the rubble. Significant damage was also reported in Cali and parts of Chocó.
The earthquake also disrupted transport and communications. Airports in parts of western Colombia were temporarily closed while authorities checked buildings and facilities for structural damage. Communications were particularly difficult in some remote areas, making it harder for emergency teams to establish the full extent of the destruction.
Emergency services, soldiers and residents have been involved in search-and-rescue operations as authorities work to locate survivors and assess damaged communities.
More than 20 aftershocks were reported following the main earthquake, adding to the challenges faced by rescue teams working around damaged structures.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency as the government mobilised resources for rescue and relief efforts. The president said the immediate priority was to assist people affected by the disaster and respond to those still trapped or in need of medical attention.
The earthquake has been described by Colombian authorities as the country’s strongest seismic event of the 21st century. Colombia is located in a highly active seismic region, where interactions between tectonic plates regularly generate earthquakes.
The latest disaster has also renewed attention on the country’s vulnerability to major earthquakes. Colombia suffered another devastating earthquake in 1999, when a magnitude 6.2 quake struck the coffee-growing region, killing more than 1,000 people.
For now, rescue and damage-assessment operations remain underway across western Colombia. Authorities have warned that casualty and damage figures could change as emergency teams reach more affected areas.
The confirmed toll currently stands at 111 dead and 87 injured.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
