Deadly 7.4 Quake Rocks Colombia

News Desk
Bogota: Rescue operations were intensified across western Colombia after a powerful earthquake brought down buildings, disrupted essential services and left scores of people trapped under rubble, with authorities reporting at least 111 deaths and 87 injuries.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey and Colombia’s Geological Survey, struck at a depth of about 107 kilometres near San Jose del Palmar in the Pacific coastal province of Chocó. Colombian authorities initially recorded the quake at magnitude 6.6.
Strong tremors were felt across a wide area, including major urban centres and the capital Bogota, where several buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Severe structural damage was reported in Chocó and other western regions.
Risaralda emerged as one of the worst-hit provinces, with its governor reporting 42 fatalities. In Pereira, the provincial capital, several buildings suffered major damage and the city mayor confirmed 18 deaths. Three additional deaths were reported in Manizales.
In Cali, emergency workers faced a major search-and-rescue operation after more than 20 buildings collapsed. Crews continued digging through the debris in search of survivors and managed to rescue several people, including an elderly woman and a young girl.
The Pacific port city of Buenaventura also suffered casualties after a building collapsed, killing one person and trapping others beneath the rubble.
The disaster also disrupted electricity and mobile phone services in some affected areas, making it more difficult for residents to communicate and for emergency teams to coordinate rescue efforts.
Colombian authorities said there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake, allowing emergency agencies to concentrate on rescue and relief operations.
Additional rescue personnel and equipment were requested from Bogota and Medellin as authorities worked to reinforce teams in the hardest-hit areas.
Officials said the full extent of the destruction was still being assessed, with rescue crews continuing to search damaged structures and isolated areas for people who may remain trapped.