Colombia earthquake kills 132, injures over 570 as rescuers race to find survivors

At least 132 people have been killed and more than 570 others injured after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, collapsing buildings, damaging critical infrastructure and triggering a national disaster declaration.

The earthquake struck at about 7:34 a.m. local time at a depth of 103 kilometres (64 miles) in Chocó Province, according to Colombia’s geological service.

The powerful tremor was felt across large parts of western Colombia and in neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama, sending residents fleeing from buildings and leaving emergency services struggling to assess the full extent of the destruction.

Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to search collapsed structures for people believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

Pereira, in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, emerged as one of the areas worst affected by the disaster. Local authorities reported at least 67 deaths in the city’s metropolitan area, while 65 buildings were said to have collapsed.

Emergency officials also reported that people could still be trapped inside at least 15 of the collapsed structures, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation.

Videos verified by the BBC showed a building collapsing in Plaza Bolívar, Pereira’s main square, sending a huge cloud of dust and debris into the area as people ran for safety.

Authorities imposed a curfew in parts of Pereira until 5 a.m. on Tuesday as security agencies and emergency workers sought to maintain order and facilitate rescue and recovery operations.

Cali, Manizales among affected cities

Cali, located about 160 kilometres south of Pereira, also suffered extensive damage, with 32 buildings reportedly collapsing.

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Deaths and injuries were also recorded in Manizales and other parts of Chocó and Valle del Cauca as emergency agencies continued to receive reports of damage from affected communities.

In San José del Palmar, a community located close to the earthquake’s epicentre, Mayor León Fabio Marín Moncada said there had been no reported deaths or injuries despite significant damage to roads linking the community with other areas.

Residents across the affected region described scenes of panic as buildings shook violently, walls cracked and household objects were thrown from shelves.

In Manizales, resident Angélica Ávila described people screaming as dust poured from neighbouring buildings and bricks fell from walls.

The earthquake also disrupted aviation infrastructure. Colombia’s aviation authority reported damage at regional airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.

In the capital, Bogotá, residents reported violent shaking of trees and traffic lights, while cracks were discovered in some buildings. However, no major infrastructure damage had been confirmed in the city.

Government declares national disaster

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster situation in response to the scale of the destruction.

The declaration gives the government additional powers to coordinate the emergency response and redirect financial resources towards rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts.

The president said more than 1,500 homes had been damaged by the earthquake, adding to concerns over the number of people requiring emergency shelter and other assistance.

Rescue agencies have been deploying personnel and equipment to the worst-affected communities while authorities continue to assess damaged buildings and infrastructure.

The immediate priority remains locating survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures and providing medical assistance to those injured.

International assistance offered

International support has also begun to emerge as Colombia responds to the disaster.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was monitoring the situation and was prepared to provide assistance if requested.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union’s Copernicus satellite system was being used to support emergency and rescue operations by providing information to authorities assessing the extent of the damage.

The United States Geological Survey estimated that approximately 1.5 million people experienced shaking at intensities close to magnitude seven.

Although earthquakes occurring at greater depths are generally considered less destructive than shallower earthquakes of similar strength, they can still release enormous amounts of energy and cause significant damage over a wide area.

Authorities are also monitoring the possibility of aftershocks, which could further endanger damaged structures and complicate rescue operations.