A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, causing building collapses and killing at least 28 people [1, 4].
The disaster underscores the vulnerability of urban infrastructure in the region, as major cities face significant structural failures following the powerful tremor.
The earthquake hit at 7:30 a.m. local time [6]. The epicenter was located near San Jose del Palmar [7], with the quake occurring at a depth of 60 miles [2]. The shaking was felt across several major Colombian cities, including Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín [1].
Video footage captured the moment the tower of the Manizales Cathedral crumbled during the shaking [3, 5]. Other reports indicate various buildings collapsed on camera as the seismic waves moved through populated areas [3].
Casualty reports vary as rescue operations continue. While one report cited at least 22 deaths [3], other updates indicate at least 28 people have died [4]. Some estimates suggest the death toll could exceed 100 [4].
Emergency crews are working to locate survivors who may be buried alive under the rubble of collapsed structures [1]. The magnitude 7.4 force caused immediate structural failure in several locations, leading to the catastrophic collapses seen in recent footage [1, 3].
“A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, causing building collapses and killing at least 28 people.”
The disparity in death toll reports suggests a chaotic early rescue phase where official counts lag behind field estimates. The collapse of a major landmark like the Manizales Cathedral tower highlights a critical need for seismic retrofitting of historical and religious architecture in Colombia's urban centers.
