At least 20 people were killed and dozens of buildings collapsed in western after a powerful struck the country on Monday (August 10), trapping residents under debris and forcing evacuations in several cities, including the capital Bogotá.
The death toll from the rose to at least 20, authorities said.
20 killed in Pereira and Manizales
The heaviest casualties were reported in the central city of Pereira, where authorities said 18 people were killed.
In nearby Manizales, local authorities reported two fatalities, taking the overall death toll to at least 20.
Rescue and emergency teams were responding to reports of people trapped beneath collapsed masonry as authorities assessed the full extent of the damage.
Buildings collapse across western Colombia
The earthquake caused widespread structural damage across several cities.
At least 19 buildings collapsed in Cali, trapping residents under fallen masonry, according to the latest reports. Authorities were also assessing damage in other parts of the country.
In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó province, Governor Nubia Córdoba reported injuries and major structural damage to buildings.
Buildings in Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, also developed cracks, although there were no immediate reports of injuries there.
Bogotá residents flee homes
The earthquake was strongly felt in Bogotá, prompting residents to rush into the streets, some still dressed in their pajamas.
The capital’s mayor said there were no immediate reports of damage in Bogotá, although authorities continued to monitor the situation.
Chocó Governor Nubia Córdoba said there were injuries and serious damage to buildings in Quibdó, the regional capital with a population of about 130,000.
In neighbouring Risaralda province, Governor Juan Diego Patino said Pereira, a major city in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, also suffered serious damage to some buildings.
The earthquake triggered evacuations as residents rushed out of homes and other structures amid fears of further collapses.
Epicentre near San José del Palmar
The earthquake’s epicentre was reported near San José del Palmar, a community of around 4,800 people in Colombia’s Chocó region, about 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Bogotá.
The US Geological Survey initially reported the quake at a depth of about 66 miles (107 kilometres), while Colombia’s geological service later revised the magnitude to 7.4 and reported a depth of about 96 kilometres (60 miles).
The powerful tremor was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador.
Airports suspend flights
Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended flights at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura as inspectors assessed possible structural damage.
The country’s disaster agency said it had received reports from nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals where the earthquake was felt.
Authorities reported evacuations and initial damage assessments across affected areas.
President takes charge
Newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella said he had personally taken charge of the government’s emergency response in San José del Palmar.
“You are not alone. The state is present and taking action,” he said.
Government agencies and emergency responders were working to assess the scale of destruction and assist people affected by the earthquake.
Earthquakes common, major quakes rare
Small earthquakes, locally known as “temblores,” are common in central and western Colombia. However, earthquakes above magnitude 6.0 are relatively rare.
The country experienced one of its deadliest recent earthquakes in 1999, when a magnitude 6.2 quake near Armenia killed more than 1,100 people.
No tsunami threat reported
The US tsunami warning system said there was no tsunami threat following Monday’s earthquake.
Authorities continued to monitor the affected areas for additional damage and aftershocks as rescue and assessment operations continued.
