A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing significant destruction and tragic loss of life. The seismic event led to the collapse of buildings across multiple cities, with the death toll rapidly increasing and many individuals trapped under debris.

Colombia’s geological service recorded the earthquake at a depth of 96 km (60 miles). The U.S. tsunami warning system confirmed there was no tsunami threat from this quake.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern and readiness to assist Colombia and its leadership. He advised American citizens in Colombia to utilize official channels for updates and safety information.

Pereira and Manizales Suffer Heavy Losses

In Pereira, a region known for coffee production, 18 people lost their lives. The city’s mayor, Mauricio Salazar, reported this as the highest death toll. Neighboring Manizales also experienced fatalities, with Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas confirming three deaths.

Buenaventura, a critical Pacific port city, saw one fatality when a building collapsed. Mayor Ligia del Carmen Cordoba noted multiple individuals were trapped during the incident.

Rescue Efforts in Cali

Rescue operations continued in Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, where more than two dozen buildings fell. Mayor Alejandro Eder reported rescues, including an elderly woman and a young girl. He highlighted the city’s request for aid from Bogota and Medellin to bolster search and rescue missions.

The quake’s epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar in Choco. This sparsely populated region on the Pacific Coast saw injuries and extensive damage. Choco’s Governor, Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi, alerted residents to potential aftershocks.

Impact on Infrastructure and Aviation

Colombian aviation authorities suspended flights in several cities, including Pereira and Manizales, to inspect for structural damage. The quake was felt across nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals, prompting evacuations and damage reports.

Residents in Venezuela’s border state of Tachira and Barquisimeto felt the quake. Previously, Venezuela experienced catastrophic earthquakes in June, resulting in more than 6,000 fatalities.

This report includes contributions from Reuters, with Eric Mack providing breaking news coverage focusing on political and international events.