Dozens killed and more trapped after powerful earthquake shakes Colombia

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread damage and loss of life. According to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, at least 47 people were killed, with many more trapped under debris in cities across the region. El Pais English reported a lower death toll of at least 25 people.

The earthquake's epicenter was located in the western municipality of San José del Palmar, in the Chocó department, according to El Pais English and Buenos Aires Herald. The quake was felt in several regions of Colombia, as well as in neighboring countries Ecuador and Panama. Damage was reported in cities including Cali, Pereira, Buenaventura, and Armenia, with Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder, saying that over a dozen buildings collapsed, trapping people inside.

The Colombian authorities, including the newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, and Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi, have responded to the disaster, with de la Espriella setting up a Unified Command Center to coordinate action and Córdoba-Curi expressing concern about the possibility of further tremors. Rescue efforts are underway, with teams from Bogotá and Medellín aiding in the search for those trapped.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, El Pais English, Buenos Aires Herald, The Guardian — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.