At least 20 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, collapsing and severely damaging buildings in major cities including Cali and Pereira.
Earthquake details
The US and Colombian geological surveys reported that a 7.4 magnitude earthquake had struck at 7.34 am local time (13.34 BST) on Monday, with its epicentre in the western department of Chocó. It was also felt in neighbouring Venezuela, which is still reeling from a deadly double earthquake on 24 June.
Casualties and damage
Western Colombia appears to have suffered the most serious damage, with authorities reporting 18 deaths in Pereira, the capital of Risaralda department, and at least two in Manizales, the capital of Caldas.
The mayor of Manizales, Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo, said at least 12 buildings and 20 homes had been partially or completely destroyed there.
In a social media video, he told citizens to be “completely ready” for aftershocks. “Do not go back into the buildings yet. I know this isn’t easy but stay outside for a little while at least because there could be an aftershock,” he said.
Rescue efforts
Social media videos showed citizens searching for victims in rubble in Cali and a woman sprinting from a building as it collapsed in Manizales. One video showed part of the San José church in Pereira collapsing as palm trees around it shook. Another video published by the newspaper El Tiempo captured the moment a building gave way in Manizales.
The mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, said at least 20 buildings had collapsed in his city and that some people were trapped inside. He did not specify how many.
“Right now, we are trying to map out what has happened, firstly to protect lives and secondly to be able to push ahead with any kind of rescue that might be necessary,” he said, urging citizens to stay calm. He also told residents to check their buildings for structural damage. “If you do not feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please, leave the building,” he said.
The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, said people had been injured and buildings severely damaged in the department’s capital, Quibdó.
Government response
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo De La Espriella, announced he would travel to Pereira to lead the government response. “You are not alone. The state is present and acting,” De la Espriella, who took office on Friday, wrote on X.
His office announced that he had ordered an immediate meeting of the national disaster management committee and said the government was “vigilant and in action”. “We will keep Colombians informed,” it said.
Aviation authorities said the airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Cartago, Armenia and Buenaventura had sustained damage.
The earthquake comes weeks after Venezuela was struck by twin earthquakes that devastated the country’s northern coast, killing more than 6,000 people.
