A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia and neighboring Ecuador, leaving a trail of destruction, dozens of collapsed structures, and at least 20 confirmed deaths. Disaster response teams and local authorities warn that the casualty count could rise further as many residents remain trapped beneath fallen concrete and heavy debris.
The disaster dealt its heaviest blow to western Colombia, where major cities felt the full brunt of the tremor. Emergency officials confirmed that 18 people lost their lives in the city of Pereira, while two deaths were recorded in Manizales.
Data from both the U.S. Geological Survey and the Colombian Geological Service pinpointed the epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, roughly 400 kilometers west of the nation’s capital, Bogotá. The seismic tremor originated deep underground, at an estimated depth of 96 to 107 kilometers.
Major urban hubs suffered severe structural destruction, particularly Cali, Pereira, and Quibdó. In Cali alone, more than 20 large buildings collapsed either completely or partially, leaving residents trapped inside while first responders scrambled to mount rescue missions.
Given the scale of the disruption, aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations across six key regional airports, including those serving Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, and Cartago. Beyond Colombia, strong tremors were felt across borders in Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama, sending panicked crowds rushing into the streets for safety.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced that he is personally supervising the national disaster response and deploying specialized defense forces to aid rescue missions in affected areas. Officials continue to urge citizens to stay alert, warning that potential aftershocks could pose further dangers in the coming hours.
