A magnitude-7.4 earthquake [1] struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread building collapses and forcing the closure of several regional airports.

The disaster disrupts critical transportation hubs and emergency response efforts in a region already struggling with structural damage. With death tolls varying across reports, the scale of the tragedy underscores the vulnerability of urban infrastructure in the area.

Reports on casualties vary significantly. La Vanguardia said at least 111 deaths [3], while El País said more than 25 [2] and MSN said 21 [4]. Local authorities continue to search through rubble in cities including Pereira, Manizales, Cali, and Quibdó [3].

The tremor affected aviation infrastructure across the country. Clarín said six airports were affected [6], while El País said seven were impacted [5]. All affected terminals suspended operations to allow for safety inspections.

"Por seguridad, las operaciones aéreas en estas terminales permanecen suspendidas," said an Aerocivil spokesperson [7].

Emergency responders are prioritizing the rescue of survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. The shaking was felt far beyond the epicenter, reaching as far as Bogotá [3]. Residents in the western region reported severe structural failures — some buildings collapsed entirely — while others suffered critical cracks.

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the quake, but the impact on the region's connectivity remains a primary concern. The suspension of flights has complicated the arrival of aid and specialized rescue teams to the hardest-hit cities.

“A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.”

The disparity in reported death tolls and airport damage suggests a chaotic initial response phase and fragmented communication from local authorities. Because multiple regional hubs were disabled simultaneously, the Colombian government faces a logistical bottleneck in deploying heavy rescue equipment to the affected cities, potentially increasing the casualty count as the window for finding survivors closes.