A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake tore through western Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 73 people dead and causing widespread destruction across several regions. The tremor originated in San Jose Del Palmar within the Choco region, sending shockwaves that were felt as far away as the capital of Bogota and into neighboring Panama and Ecuador. Local authorities report that the hardest hit areas include the Risaralda and Valle del Cauca regions, with significant casualties reported in the cities of Pereira and Cali. Among those killed in Valle del Cauca were at least three children, adding to the tragedy of a disaster that has left dozens of municipalities reeling.
In the city of Cali, witnesses described a terrifying scene as plumes of dust rose into the air from collapsing structures. Jorge Moncayo, a local taxi driver, recalled his home shaking violently during what he described as the most powerful earthquake he had ever experienced. Rescue teams have spent hours picking through piles of concrete and twisted metal in hopes of finding survivors, while Mayor Alejandro Eder warned that residents remain trapped beneath at least 19 collapsed buildings. Further north in Manizales, the historic neo Gothic cathedral suffered severe damage when one of its towers crashed onto the nave, prompting officials to urge citizens to remain outdoors due to the threat of aftershocks.
This event marks the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia over the last decade, according to the national geological service. While small tremors are frequent in this part of South America due to its location along the Ring of Fire, events exceeding a 6.0 magnitude are rare and often catastrophic. The psychological toll on the population is heightened by recent memories of massive quakes that decimated parts of neighboring Venezuela just weeks ago, leaving thousands dead and countless others homeless.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has personally stepped in to oversee the emergency response efforts centered around San Jose Del Palmar. Meanwhile, travel across western Colombia remains paralyzed as flight operations were suspended at multiple regional airports including those in Quibdo and Armenia. As search crews continue their grim work amidst fears of further seismic activity, the nation struggles to cope with a level of devastation not seen since a deadly quake struck near Armenia decades ago.
