Colombia earthquake kills 132, widespread destruction reported

The death toll from the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia has risen to at least 132, as rescue teams continue searching for hundreds of people trapped under the rubble. Authorities have warned that the number of casualties may increase, with more than 1,400 people still missing according to digital records.

The Colombian Geological Survey stated that Monday’s earthquake was the strongest recorded in the country in the 21st century. The epicenter was located in the Chocó region, near the town of San José del Palmar, about 400 kilometers west of the capital Bogotá, at a depth of 107 kilometers. Tremors were felt in Ecuador and Panama, and 21 aftershocks were registered within hours.

Widespread destruction in major cities

The worst destruction was reported in Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, where 20 buildings collapsed completely and 380 others suffered major damage. In Pereira, a four-story building and the roof of an airport collapsed, causing panic among travelers. One of the side towers of a Gothic-style cathedral in Manizales also collapsed.

Casualty distribution and national emergency

Reports indicated that at least 40 people were killed in Risaralda province, 27 in Valle del Cauca—including three children—and 12 in Chocó, where 84 people were injured. Authorities noted that assessing the full extent of the damage near the epicenter has been difficult due to communication outages.

Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, declared a national emergency immediately after the disaster, announcing in a televised address that the government had mobilized all resources to protect lives and assist affected communities. The president visited Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, promising rental assistance for those who lost their homes, before traveling to Cali to oversee relief efforts.

The earthquake struck just days after de la Espriella took office, marking the first major test for his new administration, as the country continues to deal with the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes that hit neighboring Venezuela last June.