A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, prompting authorities to implement emergency measures. The regions of Antioquia and Medellín have launched an air bridge and humanitarian corridor to aid the hardest-hit department of Chocó.
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck western Colombia early Monday morning, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87 others. President Abelardo De La Espriella announced the declaration of a state of emergency to mobilize all rescue and relief capacities in the affected areas. According to later data from the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, the death toll rose to 132, with more than 480 injured.
"It has been decided to declare a state of emergency, which will be signed during the day," President De La Espriella said in Bogotá. "The national government has deployed all its capacities to protect lives, assist affected communities, and deliver aid wherever it is needed." In an emotional address, he added: "I commend our country to the Lord Jesus Christ."
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 107 kilometers near the town of San José del Palmar, in the sparsely populated department of Chocó on the Pacific coast. Colombia's Geological Service recorded the quake at 7:34 a.m. local time. The tremors were felt across the country, including the capital Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Pereira, and Manizales, and were also reported in neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Interestingly, in San José del Palmar itself, according to Mayor León Fabio Marín Moncada, there were no fatalities or injuries, although roads connecting the town to the rest of the country were damaged.
The highest number of deaths was reported in the city of Pereira, located about 55 kilometers from the epicenter, which suffered some of the worst destruction. According to police chief Óscar Leonel Ochoa for Radio Caracol, 47 people died. Dramatic footage spread on social media from the main square, Plaza Bolívar, where at least one building collapsed, and clouds of dust and debris covered the area as people fled in panic. Another video from Pereira shows a building collapsing in just a few seconds, with citizens screaming and running to safety.
In the department of Valle del Cauca, 27 people lost their lives, including three children, confirmed Governor Dilian Francisca Toro. In Manizales, three people died, and Mayor Jorge Rojas reported the complete collapse of 10 to 12 buildings and damage to the cathedral tower. In Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, more than 20 buildings collapsed, and Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that at least thirty structures had crumbled "with people trapped inside."
In the department of Chocó, the epicenter of the earthquake, Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba confirmed four deaths and 69 injuries. In the capital, Quibdó, panic ensued following the main shock and several aftershocks. President De La Espriella emphasized that "the first priority is rescuing people trapped under the rubble."
While it is estimated that more than 1,500 residential buildings have been damaged and 61 have completely collapsed, regions not severely affected quickly came to the rescue. Authorities in the department of Antioquia sent four civilian helicopters to Chocó, carrying a team of 18 rescuers from the Red Cross (Cruz Roja) and Civil Defense (Defensa Civil).
Joining this air operation is a ground convoy consisting of 22 Red Cross members, 11 Civil Defense members with three search dogs trained for rescue in collapsed structures, and 100 soldiers from the National Army (Ejército Nacional). Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez coordinated the preparation of a specialized search and rescue unit (USAR Bomberos Medellín) with 21 experts and two specialist engineers, ready to be deployed according to the instructions of the national government.
The Medellín city administration has established a humanitarian corridor for the collection and distribution of essential supplies. Citizens can donate water, non-perishable food, hygiene items, mattresses, and blankets at the headquarters of the Banco Arquidiocesano de Alimentos Foundation and the Saciar Foundation. For monetary donations, a digital channel has been opened through the Presentes Corporation.
At the local level, the Antioquia Risk Management Department (Dagran) reported damage in 80 municipalities. One death was confirmed in the town of Támesis, and 12 people are receiving medical care. In the department, 697 homes, 122 educational institutions, and 39 churches were damaged, with the greatest damage concentrated in the subregions of Suroeste and Oriente Antioqueño. Due to the damage, commercial air traffic has been suspended at seven airports across the country, including those in Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura.
