Bogota, August 10: At least 47 people were killed after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.
The powerful earthquake collapsed buildings across several cities and trapped residents under debris. Dozens of others suffered injuries.
The earthquake also forced residents to evacuate homes in several areas, including the capital Bogota.
The epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, about 400 kilometres west of Bogota.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at a depth of 107 kilometres. Tremors were also felt in Ecuador and Panama.
Western Colombia Faces Major Damage
Local officials reported 18 deaths in Pereira and two in Manizales. Another 27 people died in Valle del Cauca department.
In Cali, authorities said residents were trapped inside at least 19 collapsed buildings. Rescue teams searched damaged structures for survivors.
In Manizales, part of a neo Gothic cathedral tower collapsed onto the nave. Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas confirmed two deaths in the city.
Authorities also reported serious building damage and injuries in Quibbdo, the capital of Choco.
Meanwhile, residents across western Colombia searched through rubble as authorities warned about possible aftershocks.
Colombia experiences frequent earthquakes, particularly in its central and western regions. However, earthquakes above magnitude 6 are uncommon.
In 1999, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Armenia killed more than 1,100 people.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said he had taken charge of the government’s emergency response in San Jose del Palmar.
He assured affected residents that the government was responding to the disaster and providing assistance.
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