Colombia earthquake: 7.4 magnitude tremor causes mass casualties and destruction FAST-MOVING
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, with its epicenter located in San José del Palmar, Chocó. The disaster has caused significant devastation across several departments, including Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Caldas.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national state of emergency to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. Official reports indicate at least 111 deaths and 87 injuries, though authorities warn these numbers may rise as search operations continue in collapsed buildings. The earthquake damaged or destroyed over 1,500 homes and caused the collapse of at least 61 buildings. Critical infrastructure has been hit, including 18 hospitals, 52 schools, and 18 roads. Additionally, six airports in the western region have suspended commercial operations due to structural concerns.
International response has been swift. The United States has pledged $15.5 million in aid for emergency supplies and damage assessment. Leaders from Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and El Salvador have also expressed solidarity and offered humanitarian assistance. Locally, Dimayor has postponed national football matches to ensure public safety, and the Cali Mayor's office has suspended local festivals.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Bogotá · Chocó · Colombia · Colombian Geological Service · Cúcuta · Dimayor · European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre · Marco Rubio · Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi · San José del Palmar · Servicio Geológico Colombiano
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Mayor of Bogotá stated that no injuries had been reported in the capital at the time of his report. elatlantico.do · www.revistagente.com · antiguatribune.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Colombian Geological Service initially reported a magnitude between 6.6 and 6.7. radiosampaio.com.br · elatlantico.do
- [● 12 SOURCES] The USGS estimated the earthquake magnitude at 7.4 with a depth of approximately 107 km. radiosampaio.com.br · www.gbnews.com · antiguatribune.com · www.veryansintv.com · noticiasargentinas.com · +3 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica in Manizales sustained heavy damage. radiosampaio.com.br · www.diaridetarragona.com · formato7.com · www.aztecapuebla.com · sbtnews.sbt.com.br
- [● 51 SOURCES] The earthquake epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. www.origo.hu · radiosampaio.com.br · bavarodigital.net · elatlantico.do · estrategia.la · +19 more
- [● 28 SOURCES] The Governor of Chocó reported injuries and significant building damage in Quibdó. www.origo.hu · radiosampaio.com.br · bavarodigital.net · elatlantico.do · www.diaridetarragona.com · +7 more
- [● 37 SOURCES] The earthquake magnitude was 7.4. radiosampaio.com.br · www.diaridetarragona.com · www.revistagente.com · www.origo.hu · bavarodigital.net · +13 more
- [● 36 SOURCES] The earthquake was felt in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Manizales, and parts of Ecuador. radiosampaio.com.br · bavarodigital.net · elatlantico.do · www.diaridetarragona.com · www.revistagente.com · +14 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Mayor of Pereira reported at least 18 deaths in the city. laverdad.com · ccnnews.com.br · www.noticiaja.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Mayor of Manizales confirmed at least two deaths in the city. laverdad.com · ccnnews.com.br · www.noticiaja.com
- [DISPUTED] Flight operations were suspended at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura. radiosampaio.com.br · ccnnews.com.br · kashmirlife.net · www.nbcnews.com · ohoje.com · +8 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The earthquake was felt in Ecuador and Panama. radiosampaio.com.br · www.revistagente.com · noticiasargentinas.com · ciudadano.news