At least 67 dead after magnitude-7.4 earthquake hits Pereira

At least 67 people died in Pereira, Colombia, after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck the region on Monday [1, 2].

The disaster has left the city devastated, with multiple residential buildings collapsed and rescue teams racing to find survivors trapped under rubble. The scale of the destruction highlights the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to high-magnitude seismic events in the region.

Rescue teams and local residents have spent the last 24 hours digging through debris. The earthquake, which hit on Aug. 10, caused widespread structural failure across the city ^[2]. Emergency workers are prioritizing the search for survivors in the most heavily damaged sectors of Pereira, which has been identified as the hardest-hit city ^[1].

Officials said the earthquake measured 7.4 in magnitude ^[2]. The tremor triggered immediate collapses of several buildings, trapping residents and pedestrians. Search operations continue as crews use specialized equipment to locate heartbeat signals beneath the concrete slabs.

Local authorities said the death toll in Pereira has reached at least 67 ^[1]. This figure is expected to rise as rescuers reach more collapsed sites. The city remains in a state of emergency while teams work to stabilize remaining structures to prevent further casualties during aftershocks.

Volunteer groups have joined professional rescuers in the efforts. Many residents are assisting in the removal of debris by hand to reach those who may still be alive. The devastation has displaced numerous families, leaving many without shelter as the city begins to assess the total cost of the damage.