Magnitude 7.4 quake hits western Colombia, killing at least 111 people
BOGOTA, Colombia — A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, damaging hundreds of buildings and leaving many trapped under debris while their loved ones and rescue workers searched through rubble. Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 87 people were injured and declared an emergency to expedite funding for the quake…
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 111 fatalities and widespread damage. The epicenter was in San Jose Del Palmar, a community of approximately 4,800 people in the Choco region, about 250 miles west of Bogota. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an emergency and pledged to expedite funding for the recovery efforts, vowing to personally visit the disaster zone.
He assured the public, "We aren't going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination." Minimal damage was reported in neighboring Ecuador and Panama, but the quake rattled cities throughout western Colombia, including Pereira, Quibdo, Cali, and Manizales. Authorities expressed concerns about aftershocks as residents and rescue teams sifted through the debris of collapsed structures.
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