BOGOTÁ — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, resulting in at least 111 deaths, injuring dozens, and heavily damaging infrastructure across multiple cities.
The seismic event, recorded as one of the country's strongest in decades, triggered frantic rescue efforts as civilians and emergency teams searched through mountains of rubble for trapped survivors.
Epicenter and Widespread Devastation
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tremor struck at a depth of about 68 miles (110 kilometers), with its epicenter located near San José del Palmar in the impoverished, jungle-clad Chocó region along the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
The disaster ravaged urban centers and mountain towns across western Colombia, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó.
Cali: Colombia’s third-largest city saw numerous buildings crumble, trapping residents beneath debris. Plumes of dust filled the air as volunteers formed human chains to clear massive chunks of concrete.
Pereira: The regional hub suffered severe destruction, with parts of the Matecaña International Airport ceiling collapsing onto sheltering travelers, alongside numerous collapsed homes and commercial structures.
Manizales: One of the prominent towers of the city’s neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed directly onto the nave, prompting local leaders to urge residents to stay outdoors due to aftershock risks.
The tremor was felt strongly as far away as Bogotá—where tall buildings were evacuated—as well as in neighboring Ecuador and Panama.
National Emergency and International Aid
Newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency to fast-track recovery funds and coordinate disaster relief. Taking personal charge of the government's response,
President de la Espriella assured citizens, "We aren't going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination."
Global leaders and humanitarian organizations mobilized quickly following the catastrophe. The U.S. State Department announced an initial $15.5 million in emergency relief, while leaders from El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile offered immediate search-and-rescue assistance.
International bodies like the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned that the disaster has compounded existing vulnerabilities in Chocó, which was already grappling with poverty and internal conflict before the ground began to shake.
