At least 22 people were killed and multiple buildings collapsed after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, leaving residents trapped in the rubble and triggering widespread emergency responses across several cities, according to local authorities and geological services. The tremor, which struck at a depth of 100 kilometers with an epicenter near San Jose del Palmar in the sparsely populated Choco province, was felt as far away as the capital of Bogota and neighboring Venezuela.
Casualties and Structural Collapses Across Western Colombia
The earthquake’s impact was concentrated in the western departments of Colombia, where multiple mayors and provincial governors reported fatalities and severe architectural damage. In the town of Pereira, located in Risaralda province, 18 people were killed and several others were trapped inside buildings that collapsed, according to Mayor Mauricio Salazar in statements reported by Caracol Radio. Risaralda Governor Juan Diego Patino told local Blu Radio that the regional capital suffered serious damage to building facades and structures.
In Manizales, three people died, Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas confirmed to Blu Radio. Further west, in Colombia’s main Pacific port of Buenaventura, one person was killed when a building collapsed and trapped multiple occupants, Mayor Ligia del Carmen Cordoba stated. Meanwhile, in Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder reported that at least 20 buildings collapsed with people trapped inside, prompting the city to request emergency rescue teams from Bogota and Medellin.
Epicenter Impact and Regional Tremors
The Colombian geological service and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the tremor at a magnitude of 7.4. Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi stated on X that the region experienced significant damage and injuries in the provincial capital of Quibdo, warning residents to remain alert for potential aftershocks. The U.S. tsunami warning system confirmed that no tsunami warning had been issued following the seismic event.
The tremor shook high-rises and residences far from the epicenter. Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan stated on X that no major damage had been reported in the capital. However, witnesses for Reuters in the Venezuelan border state of Tachira and the central-western city of Barquisimeto reported feeling the earthquake. For comparison, Venezuela experienced devastating twin earthquakes in June that killed more than 6,000 people, primarily along the coast near Caracas, though no casualties have been reported in Venezuela from this latest tremor.
Emergency Response and Transportation Disruptions
Medical teams rushed to assist victims trapped in the wreckage as civil authorities mobilized to assess the scale of the disaster. The civil aeronautics agency announced that six small airports in western Colombia suspended operations following the tremor. Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management stated that it maintained continuous contact with local authorities to verify infrastructure damage and coordinate rescue operations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the magnitude and epicenter of the Colombia earthquake?
The Colombian geological service and the USGS recorded a magnitude of 7.4 with an epicenter located 100 kilometers underground near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco province.
Which cities suffered the most damage?
Pereira recorded 18 deaths, Manizales reported three fatalities, Buenaventura recorded one death due to a collapsed building, and Cali reported at least 20 collapsed buildings.
Were there any tsunami warnings issued?
No, the U.S. tsunami warning system confirmed there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake.
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