A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread building collapses and killing at least 111 people [1, 7].
The disaster marks the largest seismic event in the region in the last decade. It has disrupted critical infrastructure and triggered emergency evacuations across several departments.
The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department [2, 6]. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake occurred at a depth of 66 mi (107 km) [2]. The shock was felt strongly in the cities of Pereira and Manizales, as well as in Bogotá, which is located about 250 mi (400 km) east of the epicenter [2, 6].
Casualty reports varied in the immediate aftermath. Early reports indicated at least 20 deaths [4], while other summaries cited over 70 fatalities [5]. The most recent figures from Al Jazeera said at least 111 deaths [7], while The Independent said more than 100 [6].
Infrastructure damage is extensive across the western region. The earthquake damaged several airports and caused structural failures in urban centers [2, 6]. In Manizales, reports said collapsed structures at the cathedral tower [Dossier].
Emergency crews are currently conducting rescue operations in Pereira and Manizales to locate survivors trapped under rubble. Authorities said they continue to monitor the region for aftershocks that could further destabilize damaged buildings.
“A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.”
The scale of this earthquake highlights the vulnerability of Colombia's western infrastructure to high-magnitude seismic activity. The significant variance in early death tolls suggests challenges in communication and coordination between remote regions like Chocó and the central government in Bogotá during a crisis.
