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A powerful Colombia earthquake kills 111 people and leaves hundreds missing, officials reported. The magnitude 7.4 quake struck western Colombia on Monday. It became the strongest earthquake to hit the country this century, according to geological officials.
The earthquake devastated several cities, including Cali, Pereira, Quibdo and Manizales. People also felt the powerful tremor across neighbouring Ecuador and Panama. Meanwhile, rescue teams continued searching collapsed buildings for survivors.
Deep earthquake struck western Colombia
The U.S. Geological Survey placed the epicentre near San Jose del Palmar. The town lies in Colombia’s Choco region, about 400 kilometres west of Bogota. The earthquake struck at a depth of roughly 107 kilometres. At least 21 aftershocks followed within hours, increasing risks for residents and rescue workers.
Because of the quake’s depth, authorities faced difficult conditions across affected areas. Nevertheless, emergency crews and local residents quickly began rescue operations.
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Cali faces major destruction
Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, suffered extensive structural damage. Search teams and residents worked together among the ruins of collapsed buildings. Local officials reported at least 20 collapsed buildings. They also recorded damage to around 380 structures. Rescuers formed human chains to move concrete and rubble by hand. However, residents said rescue teams urgently needed heavy equipment.
Jorge Moncayo, a 64-year-old taxi driver, described the moment the earthquake struck. He said dust clouds rose across the city as buildings collapsed. Moncayo said his entire house shook violently. He also expressed relief that his family survived the disaster.
Juan Carlos Osorio described another building collapse as sounding like an explosion. He said neighbours joined rescue efforts and searched for trapped residents.
Rescue teams search for survivors
The scale of the destruction has complicated rescue operations. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for, according to local authorities. Therefore, emergency teams face a race against time. They must search unstable structures while protecting rescuers from further collapses.
The death toll could also rise as crews reach previously inaccessible areas. Officials have not yet provided a final estimate of the number missing. At the same time, residents continue helping professional rescuers. Volunteers have formed lines to move debris from damaged buildings.
New government faces first major crisis
The disaster struck only days after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as Colombia’s president. The new administration now faces its first major national crisis.
The earthquake also revived memories of powerful earthquakes in neighbouring Venezuela. Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela in June. For Colombia, the disaster has created an immediate challenge for emergency services and the new government. Authorities must now coordinate rescue operations across several affected regions.
The Colombia earthquake kills 111 people while hundreds remain missing. Officials expect rescue operations to continue as teams assess the full extent of the destruction.
