Dbarta24 International Desk — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, leaving at least 111 people dead and dozens injured.
The catastrophic tremor caused widespread structural collapses across several provinces, trapping numerous residents beneath piles of rubble and prompting the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency.
Emergency personnel and search-and-rescue teams are working against time to retrieve survivors buried under collapsed buildings.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in Chocó, a sparsely populated province along Colombia’s Pacific coast. The tremor struck at a depth of 107 kilometers.
Despite its offshore and deep epicenter, shockwaves reverberated hundreds of kilometers away into the capital city of Bogota, sending thousands of panic-stricken residents rushing into the streets.
Widespread Destruction Across Key Provinces
The highest casualty toll has been reported in Risaralda, a major coffee-producing region in Colombia. Risaralda Governor Juan Diego Patiño confirmed that at least 42 people lost their lives within the province.
Local authorities across Colombia confirmed fatalities across multiple regions:
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Risaralda Province: 42 dead
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Valle del Cauca Province: 27 dead
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Chocó Province: 4 dead
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City of Manizales: 3 dead
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Antioquia Province: 1 dead
Casualty details from other affected areas remain sparse as communication lines and power infrastructure suffer disruptions.
Meanwhile, in Cali, a major urban center located southwest of Bogota, local officials reported that at least 25 buildings collapsed completely.
The seismic event was strong enough to trigger tremors across international borders. Residents in neighboring Ecuador and Venezuela reported feeling the ground shake, with noticeable impacts in Venezuela’s Táchira state and the city of Barquisimeto.
Local disaster management agencies in neighboring countries have urged residents in affected zones to remain on high alert.
Early Test for New Administration
The catastrophe marks the first major national crisis for newly inaugurated Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, who assumed office just days ago on Friday.
Addressing the nation, President De La Espriella confirmed the rising casualty figures and pledged immediate state intervention.
He announced that he will personally oversee emergency rescue and relief operations from the Disaster Risk Management Unified Command Post in Bogota.
The United States has offered full support and emergency aid to assist Colombia in its recovery and search efforts.