KUALA LUMPUR — At least 111 people have been killed and more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with rescuers searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
According to BBC, the earthquake struck at 7.34am local time on Monday at a depth of 103km, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó province, according to Colombia’s geological service.
The quake was felt across a vast area, including neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.
The city of Pereira, about 55km from the epicentre, was among the worst-hit areas, with authorities reporting 65 collapsed buildings and people feared trapped in 15 of them.
Videos verified by the BBC showed a building collapsing in Plaza Bolívar, Pereira’s main square, sending debris and dust across the area.
At least 32 buildings also collapsed in Cali, while deaths were reported in Manizales, Quibdó and other parts of Chocó and Valle del Cauca.
At least two people were killed in Manizales, where residents reported walls cracking, bricks falling and buildings shaking violently.
The country’s aviation authority said several regional airports, including those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura, were damaged.
In Bogotá, trees and traffic lights shook violently, with some reports of cracks in buildings but no major infrastructure damage.
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster, saying more than 1,500 homes had been damaged and granting authorities special powers to respond to the emergency.
The United States, European Union and El Salvador have offered assistance, including rescue personnel, equipment and satellite support.
The US Geological Survey estimated that about 1.5 million people experienced shaking close to magnitude seven.
Despite being a deep earthquake, experts warned that such tremors can still release significant energy capable of damaging buildings, although they generally produce fewer and weaker aftershocks. – August 11, 2026