Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia, Leaving Over 220 Dead and Hundreds Injured

A devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, killing at least 224 people and injuring over 700 others across several western departments. Rescue operations remain underway as emergency personnel race against time to pull survivors from collapsed structures.

The quake occurred at 7:34 am local time, with its epicenter located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, approximately 400 kilometers west of the capital, Bogotá. The seismic impact hit urban centers severely, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and surrounding communities in the Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, and Antioquia departments.

Following the disaster, President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of emergency to mobilize federal resources and streamline rescue initiatives. Over 1,600 buildings have been reported damaged or destroyed, including historical landmarks and medical facilities. In Cali, partial structural collapses at a local hospital forced emergency teams to evacuate and treat roughly 600 patients in outdoor triage setups.

Emergency response teams comprising military personnel, firefighters, search dogs, and local volunteers worked continuously through the night. Nighttime curfews were established in cities including Cali, Armenia, and Manizales to secure impacted districts, while regional hospitals were placed on high alert. Flight operations at several regional airports were temporarily halted to evaluate runway and infrastructure safety.

International support has mobilized to assist the affected areas. Aid packages, satellite tracking support, and specialized urban search-and-rescue units have been pledged by international partners, including the United States, the European Union, Mexico, and El Salvador. Search efforts remain focused on reaching remote communities where transport access is severely limited due to terrain and damaged infrastructure.