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A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 has struck Colombia, claiming at least 132 lives and prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. The tremor occurred early Monday morning in Chocó province near the Pacific coastline at a depth of approximately 103 kilometers. The impact was felt across vast distances, reaching hundreds of kilometers away from the epicenter and extending into neighboring countries including Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.
The city of Pereira, located in Colombia’s coffee-producing region, suffered severe damage with at least 40 deaths reported in its metropolitan area and 65 buildings collapsed. Approximately 15 structures are believed to still have people trapped inside. Other affected areas include Cali, where 32 buildings collapsed, and Manizales, which experienced significant structural damage despite having strict building codes. Overall, more than 480 people sustained injuries, and authorities report that over 1,500 homes have been damaged across affected regions.
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared the situation a national disaster, granting special emergency powers to allocate resources for recovery efforts. The declaration came just days after his inauguration, making this crisis an immediate priority. International support has been mobilized, with the United States, European Union, and El Salvador offering assistance for rescue and recovery operations. Authorities warn that the death toll could rise as rescue workers continue searching through collapsed structures.
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