A powerful earthquake has left Colombia reeling, with at least 111 people reportedly dead and hundreds more injured. Several buildings have collapsed like houses of cards, while rescue teams continue searching through massive piles of rubble for survivors.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the strong earthquake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday. Its epicentre was located near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó region, at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres beneath the surface. The tremors were also felt in neighbouring Ecuador and near the Venezuelan border. No tsunami warning has been issued so far.
Pereira has reportedly recorded 18 deaths, with the city’s mayor, Mauricio Salazar, describing the situation as critical. Colombia’s central and western regions were subsequently shaken by several aftershocks, some reportedly measuring around 6.0 on the Richter scale.
Around 20 houses have reportedly collapsed in Cali, adding to the scale of the devastation. Emergency services and rescue personnel have launched intensive operations across affected areas, with several people feared trapped beneath the debris.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show buildings violently swaying and collapsing, while terrified residents flee their homes. However, the authenticity of some of these videos has not been independently verified.
Thousands of residents are feared to have been displaced as authorities assess the damage. Rescue operations remain underway, and officials are working to determine the full extent of casualties and destruction. The death toll could rise further as search teams reach inaccessible areas.
