A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, causing widespread panic as residents fled buildings in Bogotá and other cities. Local officials reported at least 20 fatalities while search and rescue operations continued. Temporary shelters were set up, and authorities warned of potential aftershocks.

Magnitude and Epicenter

The earthquake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time. The United States Geological Survey identified the epicenter near San José del Palmar, a town in Chocó, which is home to about 5,000 people. This region experienced significant structural damage.

Affected Areas and Response

The cities of Pereira, Manizales, and Cali suffered partial building collapses. Pereira’s mayor, Mauricio Salazar, reported 18 deaths in the area. Manizales, led by Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas, reported two fatalities and opened a coliseum to house displaced individuals.

The epicenter was roughly 150 miles from Bogotá, 100 miles from Medellín, and about 100 miles from Cali. In Cali, at least 20 buildings collapsed, prompting Mayor Alejandro Eder to advise evacuations if structures appeared damaged. In Quibdó, Chocó’s capital, Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi confirmed injuries and building damage.

Government and Community Efforts

President Abelardo De La Espriella, recently inaugurated, took charge of the emergency response. He planned to visit Pereira and convened a unified command post to assess the needs and coordinate relief efforts. Operations at airports in Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and other cities were temporarily suspended for damage assessment.

In Manizales, the earthquake damaged several buildings and caused two deaths. Mayor Rojas advised against using damaged structures and urged residents to stay off roads to facilitate emergency efforts. Gas and electrical leaks were being managed, and the cable-car system was shut down due to damage.

Pereira’s airport also suffered damage with parts of the roof collapsing. Information from video footage supported these reports. In the city, 18 people died, as reported by Mayor Salazar during a national radio interview.

Impact on Bogotá and Other Cities

The earthquake was felt in Bogotá, located 150 miles east of the epicenter. Videos showed swaying tall buildings and damage to infrastructure. Bogotá city councilman Samir Abisambra posted footage of a damaged parking garage.

In Cali, reports of collapsed structures led Mayor Eder to manage the crisis with local rescue services. He urged calm and advised inspecting buildings for safety, urging evacuations if necessary.