A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday at 7:34 local time [1].
The disaster represents the most violent seismic event to hit the country during the 21st century. The scale of the destruction has prompted a state of emergency as rescue efforts continue in the hardest-hit regions.
According to the Association of Colombian Capital Cities, Asocapitales, the death toll has risen since the initial reports. While early estimates placed the number of fatalities at 132 [2], updated figures reported on Tuesday indicate at least 181 deaths [3].
In addition to the fatalities, officials said there were more than 1,300 injuries [3]. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) said the quake was the strongest of the current century for the nation [1].
The earthquake's epicenter was located in the western part of the country [3]. Local authorities are managing the aftermath of the shaking, which caused significant damage to infrastructure and housing in the region.
Emergency responders are working to locate survivors among the rubble. The SGC continues to monitor the region for aftershocks that could further destabilize damaged buildings.
“The most violent seismic event to hit the country during the 21st century.”
The classification of this event as the strongest quake of the 21st century by the Colombian Geological Service suggests a rare level of seismic intensity for the region. The rapid increase in the death toll within 24 hours indicates that many victims were likely trapped in collapsed structures, highlighting vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure in western Colombia.
