Bogota, Colombia: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, causing widespread destruction across several parts of the country. At least 132 people have reportedly died, while more than 570 others have been injured, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities.
Rescue and relief teams are continuing operations in the worst-affected areas as authorities assess the extent of the damage and search for survivors.
Strong Tremors Felt Across Colombia
The earthquake’s epicentre was reported near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, at a depth of approximately 170 kilometres.
Strong tremors were felt across several parts of the country, including the capital Bogota.
As the ground shook, residents in several cities reportedly rushed out of their homes and buildings and gathered in open areas for safety.
More Than 2,000 People Reported Missing
More than 2,000 people have reportedly been listed as missing following the earthquake.
Many of the missing-person cases are believed to be linked to the cities of Cali and Pereira, two areas that have suffered significant damage.
Military personnel, firefighters and emergency response teams have been deployed to affected locations amid concerns that people could be trapped beneath collapsed buildings and debris.
Pereira Among the Worst-Affected Cities
Pereira is reportedly among the worst-hit cities, with around 60 deaths reported there.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said more than 1,577 residential buildings had sustained damage, while 37 buildings had completely collapsed.
Authorities also reported damage to:
- More than 60 other buildings
- 18 healthcare centres
- 52 schools
The extensive destruction has placed considerable pressure on emergency services and local authorities.
Hospital in Cali Severely Damaged
A university hospital in Cali was also severely affected by the earthquake.
Reports indicate that approximately 30% of the hospital’s structure was damaged or collapsed.
Several critical departments were affected, including:
- Paediatric services
- Internal medicine
- Neonatal unit
The damage has created additional challenges for healthcare workers dealing with the large number of people injured in the earthquake.
Airports Restrict Operations
The earthquake has also disrupted air travel across parts of western Colombia.
Several airports have reportedly restricted operations while authorities conduct safety and structural inspections.
At some airports, only emergency, medical and government flights are reportedly being permitted as officials assess damage to airport infrastructure.
Aftershocks Continue
The Colombian Geological Service has recorded 21 aftershocks following the main earthquake.
Authorities have warned that additional tremors could occur and are continuing to monitor seismic activity.
Emergency teams are also assessing buildings and infrastructure before allowing residents to return to potentially unsafe structures.
United States Announces Aid
The scale of the disaster has also prompted international assistance.
The United States has announced $15.5 million in aid to support relief and recovery efforts in earthquake-affected areas.
The assistance is expected to support ongoing humanitarian and recovery operations as Colombia responds to the disaster.
Rescue Operations Continue
Rescue workers, firefighters, military personnel and emergency teams remain engaged in search-and-rescue operations across the worst-hit areas.
Authorities are continuing to assess the full scale of the destruction, locate missing people and provide assistance to those who have lost homes or been injured.
With aftershocks still possible, emergency teams are also facing the challenge of carrying out rescue operations while ensuring the safety of survivors and responders.
The full impact of the earthquake is expected to become clearer as search operations continue and authorities complete their damage assessments.
