At least 132 killed as powerful earthquake strikes western Colombia
By SCN News Desk
BOGOTÁ, Aug. 10 (SCN NEWS) — At least 132 people were killed and about 570 injured after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, collapsing buildings and triggering a large-scale rescue operation as emergency crews searched for people trapped beneath rubble.
The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó, a mountainous region in western Colombia, and was felt across large parts of the country. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at magnitude 7.4, with a depth of about 107 kilometers and an epicenter roughly five kilometers east of San José del Palmar.
The casualty toll rose rapidly through the day as emergency authorities received reports from cities and remote communities across the affected region. By late Monday, at least 132 deaths and around 570 injuries had been reported, with officials warning that the numbers could change as rescue operations continued.
Rescue teams search collapsed buildings
Some of the most dramatic scenes emerged from Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, where buildings were damaged or brought down by the shaking.
Firefighters, police, emergency workers and residents worked through piles of concrete and twisted debris, searching for survivors and helping evacuate damaged structures.
The destruction was not limited to Cali. Damage was also reported in Pereira, Quibdó and Manizales, while the earthquake was strong enough to be felt in neighboring parts of the region.
Hundreds of buildings were reported damaged, complicating efforts to determine the full scale of the disaster.
Authorities urged residents to stay away from visibly damaged structures while engineers conducted inspections and emergency crews worked through affected neighborhoods.
Government declares national disaster
Colombia's government declared a national disaster, mobilizing emergency agencies and security forces to support rescue and relief operations.
The immediate priority was reaching people believed to be trapped inside collapsed buildings and restoring access to communities where damaged roads and communications were slowing assessments.
Hospitals across the affected region received injured residents throughout the day, while authorities began arranging temporary assistance for families whose homes were destroyed or considered unsafe.
Several airports and transport facilities were also inspected for structural damage following the quake.
Strongest earthquake in Colombia this century
Monday's earthquake was the strongest recorded in Colombia this century, adding to concerns about further damage from aftershocks.
Colombia lies in one of the world's most seismically active regions, where several tectonic plates interact along the western edge of South America.
The country has experienced devastating earthquakes before, including the 1999 Armenia earthquake, which killed more than 1,000 people and caused extensive destruction across Colombia's coffee-growing region.
Monday's quake struck at 12:34 UTC, according to the USGS. Its relatively deep origin meant shaking was felt across a broad area.
Aftershocks add to fears
Residents remained outside homes and buildings in several affected communities as authorities warned about possible aftershocks.
Emergency officials advised people not to re-enter structures with visible cracks or other signs of damage until they had been inspected.
In heavily affected areas, rescue teams continued working after dark as relatives gathered near collapsed buildings awaiting information about missing family members.
The scale of the damage in more isolated parts of Chocó was still being assessed, raising the possibility that additional casualties could be discovered as emergency teams reached remote communities.
Search for survivors continues
Rescue operations were expected to continue through the night, with authorities saying saving people trapped beneath debris remained the country's immediate priority.
Heavy machinery was deployed alongside firefighters and specialist search teams, while residents joined efforts to remove rubble in some neighborhoods.
The government also began coordinating shelter, medical care and emergency supplies for displaced families.
With at least 132 people confirmed dead and hundreds more injured, the earthquake has become one of Colombia's deadliest natural disasters in recent years.
Authorities warned that the full human and economic cost would not be known until rescue teams complete searches across the hardest-hit areas.