A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing more than 100 people and causing extensive damage across the country. The tremor, which hit at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, was the strongest recorded in Colombia in a decade.
The earthquake's epicenter was located in the western department of Chocó. The shaking was powerful enough to be felt across the border in neighboring Venezuela, a country still recovering from a deadly double earthquake that occurred on June 24.
The quake caused severe destruction in major cities including Cali and Pereira, where numerous buildings collapsed or sustained significant damage. Rescue teams mobilized across affected regions to search through collapsed structures for survivors who may be trapped in the rubble. The scale of the destruction prompted a major deployment of emergency personnel and resources to coordinate search and recovery operations.
The death toll climbed to at least 132 people as assessments continued, with dozens more injured from the powerful tremor. The widespread devastation led authorities to declare a state of emergency as they worked to understand the full extent of damage across the country.
Colombia's geological survey, working alongside the US Geological Survey, confirmed the 7.4-magnitude measurement. This made it one of the largest earthquakes to strike the country in recent years and tested the nation's emergency response infrastructure significantly.
The earthquake represents one of the deadliest natural disasters to affect Colombia in recent years. Rescue operations faced the challenging task of locating and extracting people from damaged buildings, particularly in urban areas where building collapses were most severe.
Authorities coordinated resources and personnel across multiple affected areas as emergency crews continued their search through the night and into subsequent days. The mobilization of rescue workers reflected the serious nature of the disaster and the urgent need to locate survivors before critical time windows closed.
Recovery and rebuilding efforts are expected to require considerable time as the full scope of damage becomes clearer. Damaged infrastructure, collapsed homes and buildings, and disrupted services will need systematic assessment and repair. The impact on the country's economy and communities will likely be significant given the magnitude of destruction and loss of life.
The earthquake added to a difficult period for the region, which had already been affected by other natural disasters. The focus for authorities and emergency responders remained on immediate life-saving efforts while beginning the longer process of assessing damage and planning reconstruction across the affected areas of Colombia.