A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 132 people and injuring 570 others. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, approximately 150 miles west of Bogotá. The tremor, the strongest in the country in a decade, caused significant structural damage across multiple cities, including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national disaster to accelerate the distribution of emergency resources. The government deployed military platoons to aid in search and rescue efforts. Reports indicate that at least 86 buildings have collapsed and 1,575 homes sustained damage. Hospitals and schools in the affected regions suffered severe impacts, with several health facilities forced to close their doors.
Emergency crews are searching through rubble in hopes of finding survivors. In Cali, patients were evacuated from a hospital that partially collapsed during the quake. The city of Pereira reported 60 of the total deaths, and rescue teams successfully evacuated 16 people who were trapped in cable cars when the tremors began.
International support is mobilizing rapidly to assist the nation. The United States committed $15.5 million in aid for shelter and food, while organizations like World Central Kitchen activated disaster-relief networks. Neighboring countries, including Ecuador, have also offered specialized search and rescue teams. Authorities urge citizens to remain cautious as aftershocks continue to affect the region.