A magnitude 7.4 earthquake [1] struck Colombia's Pacific province of Chocó on Monday, causing building collapses and widespread destruction.
The disaster has prompted a national emergency as rescue teams scramble to locate survivors in remote regions with fragile infrastructure.
The quake hit at 7:34 local time [2], or 12:34 GMT [3]. While the epicenter was in Chocó, the tremors were felt across the region.
Reports on the death toll vary significantly across news agencies. The BBC reported that at least 111 people [4] died, while AOL reported at least 71 deaths [5]. Other reports from MSN listed the toll as low as 20 [6] or 18 people [7]. The disparity in numbers suggests that official counts are still being reconciled as communication remains unstable in the affected province.
Infrastructure damage has crippled transportation in several areas. According to AOL, six airports suspended operations [8] following the seismic event. Authorities said building collapses have left many residents homeless and injured.
Emergency responders are focusing their efforts on the Chocó province, where the impact was most severe. The national emergency declaration allows the government to mobilize military resources and international aid to assist in the recovery process.
“A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia's Pacific province of Chocó”
The significant variance in casualty reports highlights the difficulty of coordinating emergency responses in Colombia's Pacific coast, where geography and infrastructure often hinder real-time data collection during natural disasters.
