Death Toll Rises to 20 After Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia

At least 20 people have been killed after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and forcing residents to flee their homes.

The earthquake struck at about 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó Province, roughly 400 kilometres west of the capital, Bogotá.

Authorities said the tremor caused serious damage in several cities, including Cali, Quibdó, Pereira, Manizales, Armenia and Medellín. In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder reported that at least 20 buildings had collapsed, with some people feared trapped under the rubble.

Officials in Pereira reported 18 deaths, while Manizales authorities confirmed two fatalities. Several injuries were also reported across the affected areas.

The United States Geological Survey and Colombian authorities measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.4, although Colombia's Geological Service initially recorded it at 6.6.

The earthquake was felt strongly in Bogotá, where residents rushed out of buildings as emergency sirens sounded. Authorities said there was no immediate report of major structural damage in the capital.

Chocó Governor Nubia Córdoba said Quibdó suffered significant structural damage and warned that authorities remained concerned about possible aftershocks as assessments continued.

Colombia's aviation authorities also reported damage at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. The earthquake was felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, as well as areas close to Colombia's border with Venezuela.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 79 kilometres, according to Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.

Emergency services and local authorities have launched damage assessments and rescue operations, while additional teams are being requested from Bogotá and Medellín to assist communities affected by collapsed structures.

Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as emergency crews continue searching damaged buildings and assessing the full impact of the earthquake.

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