Dozens killed and more trapped after powerful earthquake shakes Colombia

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. According to reports, at least 47 people were killed, with many more trapped under debris in cities across the region. The epicenter of the quake was located in the western municipality of San José del Palmar, in the Chocó department.

The earthquake caused widespread damage, with over a dozen buildings collapsing in the city of Cali, Colombia's third most populated city. Firefighters were checking buildings for structural damage, and authorities began assessing potential damage in various regions. The quake was felt as far away as Ecuador's capital, Quito, and prompted evacuations in some areas.

The newly inaugurated president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced the setup of a Unified Command Center to coordinate response efforts. He also planned to travel to Pereira, one of the towns most affected by the earthquake. According to El Pais English, at least 25 people were reported dead, while The Buenos Aires Herald reported at least 24 fatalities. The casualty count is expected to rise, with Cali, Pereira, Armenia, and Manizales being home to over 3.5 million people.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, 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.