Bogotá, August 10: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 69 fatalities. The extent of the destruction has raised concerns that the death toll may rise further.
According to local officials cited by France24, the hardest-hit areas include Risaralda, where 40 people died, Valle del Cauca with 27 fatalities, and two deaths reported in the city of Manizales.
The earthquake caused significant damage to buildings, trapping many individuals under rubble, prompting rescue operations in the capital, Bogotá. Tremors were also felt across other parts of Latin America, including Ecuador and Panama.
Governor Juan Diego Patino reported 42 deaths in the western province of Risaralda during a phone interview with Caracol Television. Mayor Mauricio Salazar confirmed that 18 people lost their lives in Pereira, with some still trapped in the debris. He described the situation as “serious,” given that the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the neighboring Chocó province.
Cities such as Pereira, Quibdó, Cali, and Manizales experienced severe devastation. According to Euro News, a 64-year-old taxi driver in Cali, Jorge Moncayo, recounted witnessing dust clouds rising from the hills as buildings collapsed. He stated, “My entire house shook. I have never experienced such a strong earthquake.”
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.4. The tremor struck near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department.
The USGS reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 280 kilometers west of Bogotá, at a depth of 107 kilometers, occurring at 7:34 AM local time (8:34 AM Miami time). Tremors were also felt towards the Venezuelan border.
While the USGS confirmed a magnitude of 7.4, different agencies reported varying estimates, with the American Tsunami Warning System recording it at 7.1.
Bogotá’s mayor, Carlos Galán, took to social media platform X to announce that there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage, aside from some cracks in buildings. Residents in western and central parts of the country also reported feeling the tremors. As officials assess the situation, the list of affected areas may continue to grow.
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