Major quake rocks Colombia and neighbours, at least 18 dead
BOGOTA: A powerful earthquake rocked Colombia and neighbouring Latin American countries on Monday, with at least 18 people confirmed dead in first reports as shocked residents surveyed destroyed buildings.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia and several neighboring Latin American countries on Monday, claiming at least 18 lives and causing extensive damage. The quake's epicenter lay 100km deep in western Colombia, prompting emergency responses and building evacuations across the region.
Pereira, Colombia's second-largest city, bore the brunt of the tragedy, with Mayor Mauricio Salazar reporting 18 deaths in the city alone. Quibdo, the provincial capital of Choco province, suffered serious damage, though the death toll there remained unknown. The quake also left at least 20 buildings collapsed in Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, with people trapped amid major destruction.
The quake's impact extended to neighboring countries. Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela all reported damage, with Venezuela hit by two earlier magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that claimed over 6,000 lives in June. In Bogota, the capital, Mayor Carlos Galan stated that building damage was limited to facade cracks. President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to visit the affected regions.
Residents described the earthquake as incredibly strong, with buildings collapsing and infrastructure collapsing. Electricity and mobile phone services were disrupted in many areas. In response, six airports in western Colombia suspended operations.
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