More than 60 buildings reportedly collapsed, while 18 health centers and 52 schools were also damaged.
PEREIRA : At least 132 people have been killed and more than 570 injured after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, triggering widespread destruction and putting five major cities on red alert.
Rescue and relief operations are underway on a large scale as authorities assess the extent of the damage and search affected areas for survivors.
Pereira Among the Worst-Hit Areas
According to reports cited by CNN, 60 people were killed in Pereira alone. The city, which has a population of nearly 500,000, is located less than 64 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter.
Reports said 86 buildings collapsed, while operations at seven airports were suspended following the earthquake.
The western-central department of Risaralda was among the worst-affected areas. Governor Juan Diego Patiño told local radio station BluRadio that the region had suffered extensive damage.
Thousands of Buildings Damaged
The earthquake was felt across several Colombian cities, including the capital Bogotá, where alarms sounded and residents reportedly evacuated buildings as a precaution.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said 1,577 residential buildings were damaged, while 37 buildings were completely destroyed. More than 60 buildings were reportedly brought down, while 18 health centers and 52 schools also suffered damage.
Authorities have activated emergency response mechanisms to assess the destruction and provide assistance to affected communities.
Earthquake Epicenter
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at approximately 7:34 a.m. local time. The epicenter was near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó region, around 280 kilometers west of Bogotá.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers.
Authorities are also monitoring the situation for possible aftershocks, which could cause additional damage to already weakened structures.
Damage Reported in Chocó
In northwestern Colombia’s Chocó region, Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi confirmed that people were injured in the regional capital Quibdó, where buildings also suffered significant damage.
Officials have urged residents to remain cautious as emergency teams continue assessing structures and responding to reports of damage.
Bogotá Mobilizes Aid and Rescue Teams
Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán announced that six collection centers would be established to collect essential supplies for communities affected by the earthquake.
Residents have been encouraged to donate drinking water, blankets, mattresses, non-perishable food, personal hygiene products and first-aid supplies.
Galán also said that there were no reports of major impacts in Bogotá at that time. The city government was coordinating with the national government to deploy 100 rescuers from Bogotá to the worst-affected areas to assist with search-and-rescue operations.
Emergency Response Underway
The Colombian government has formed emergency coordination mechanisms to manage the disaster, with authorities focusing on search and rescue, medical assistance, damage assessment and essential supplies.
As rescue teams continue operations, officials are warning residents in affected areas to remain alert for possible aftershocks and avoid entering damaged or unstable buildings.
The full scale of the destruction is still being assessed, and authorities are expected to provide further updates as rescue and relief operations continue.
