Colombia rocked by powerful earthquake, with almost 80 dead

On Monday morning, a powerful earthquake struck Colombia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The magnitude-7.4 quake, centered near San Jose del Palmar in Choco province, caused severe damage to buildings and infrastructure in the western part of the country. US Geological Survey reported that the quake was followed by at least one aftershock, but there were no tsunami warnings.

According to local media, people were found trapped under fallen masonry, with images showing the extent of the damage. In nearby Manizales, a cathedral tower was knocked over, while cracks appeared in buildings in Medellin and Cali, Colombia's second and third-largest cities. Bogota residents also felt the tremors, some even fleeing in their pajamas.

Civil defense forces, firefighters, and volunteers rushed to rescue trapped individuals, while cracks in buildings prompted concern in the capital. Colombia's civil aviation authority suspended flights at several airports as inspectors checked for structural damage. The disaster arrives just days after Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, was sworn in, marking a significant test for his administration.

The country is still reeling from devastating twin earthquakes that hit neighboring Venezuela in June, claiming over 6,000 lives. President de la Espriella's government has declared a state of natural disaster, facing the immense challenge of responding to this latest catastrophe.