A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia on Monday, resulting in the death of at least 111 individuals, causing extensive damage to numerous buildings, and trapping many individuals under debris. Rescue teams and volunteers scoured through the wreckage of buildings in Cali, the country’s third-largest city, passing debris along a chain of helpers.
Álvaro López, while holding his dog, described the devastation, stating that his building was in ruins and the neighboring one had completely collapsed. The earthquake also affected cities like Pereira, Quibdo, and Manizales in western Colombia, with tremors felt in Ecuador and Panama. The epicenter was in San José del Palmar, a small community in the Choco region, about 400 kilometers west of Bogota, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed that 87 people were injured, around 1,600 buildings were damaged, with at least 61 completely collapsing. He declared a state of emergency to streamline funding for recovery efforts and pledged to visit the affected areas to provide support to the affected individuals.
The earthquake in Colombia was the most powerful recorded in the country in the 21st century, followed by 21 aftershocks. The Pacific region, particularly the Choco area, where the quake struck, lies on the Ring of Fire, a seismic zone encircling the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes. The Choco region, characterized by dense jungle and limited accessibility, poses challenges for authorities in assessing the full extent of the damage.
Authorities reported casualties in various regions, including Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Choco, Caldas, and Antioquia. The earthquakes have unsettled residents, reminiscent of the recent devastating quakes in Venezuela. Families have started reporting missing loved ones through digital platforms, with the number of missing persons steadily increasing, especially in Cali and Pereira.
Jorge Moncayo, a taxi driver in Cali, described witnessing buildings collapsing and dust clouds rising across the city. Rescue efforts were ongoing as people remained trapped in damaged structures. The extent of damage in remote areas like Choco, with limited communication due to disrupted phone signals, was still unclear.
In Pereira, airport facilities suffered damage, with parts of the ceiling collapsing on sheltering travelers. The city faced multiple collapsed buildings, and authorities feared people were trapped under the rubble. In Manizales, the cathedral tower collapsed, urging residents to stay outdoors as a precaution against aftershocks.
The earthquake response marks a significant challenge for President de la Espriella, who assumed office recently. The U.S. State Department pledged $15.5 million for emergency assistance, with other Latin American countries, including El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile, offering support. El Salvador and Mexico expressed readiness to provide rescue teams, medical aid, and supplies, while Chile emphasized understanding the difficulties posed by earthquakes and pledged assistance to Colombia.