A magnitude-7.4 earthquake [1] struck western Colombia on Monday morning, causing structural damage and casualties at Matecaña Airport in Pereira.
The event highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the Risaralda department and underscores the region's high seismic risk. Because the airport serves as a primary transit hub, the collapse of interior structures during the shaking created immediate danger for hundreds of travelers and staff.
According to reports, the earthquake's epicenter was located in the Chocó department [4]. The seismic activity was caused by tectonic movement along the Pacific-Caribbean plate boundary [1].
At Matecaña Airport, the shaking caused parts of the ceiling to collapse. Video captured by a content creator showed passengers and staff reacting to the tremors as debris fell from the roof. Colombian authorities said they responded to the scene to manage the evacuation and provide medical assistance.
Reports regarding the human toll of the disaster are currently contradictory. One source said there were three fatalities [3], while another report said there were at least 20 deaths [2]. Authorities also said there were dozens of injuries [3], though other initial reports said that officials did not yet have a confirmed count of the dead or injured immediately following the event [3].
The impact was felt across the western region, with the most severe structural damage concentrated in the areas closest to the epicenter and at the airport facility. Emergency crews remain on site to assess the stability of the terminal and assist those affected by the collapse.
“A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning”
The disparity in casualty reports—ranging from three to 20 deaths—suggests a chaotic initial response and difficulty in communication between regional authorities and news agencies. The collapse of a major airport ceiling during a magnitude-7.4 event may trigger a wider investigation into Colombian building codes and the seismic resilience of public infrastructure in the Chocó and Risaralda regions.
