Photos, Videos Show Impact After 7.4 Earthquake Hits Colombia
7.4 earthquake strikes western Colombia, causing injuries and building damage as tremors are felt across Colombia and Ecuador.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 20 deaths, according to officials. The temblor's aftermath has brought widespread destruction and prompted evacuations across regions like Quibdó, Pereira, Cali, and others. Early images from the scene depict collapsed structures and trapped residents as authorities work to provide initial damage assessments.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates a one-in-three probability that the earthquake may claim more than 1,000 lives. The earthquake's epicenter was near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, home to approximately 4,800 people and encompassed by mountains. Colombia's geological service raised the earthquake's magnitude to 7.4 and measured a depth of around 96 kilometers, classifying it among the nation's most powerful seismic events in recent years.
Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba‑Curi reported injuries and significant building damage in Quibdó, while Risaralda Governor Juan Diego Patiño described serious structural damage in Pereira, emphasizing the severity of the situation with footage showing fallen facades and injured individuals. The quake's tremors echoed far beyond Colombia, reaching capitals like Bogotá, where Mayor Carlos Galán confirmed no major damage, and extending to neighboring Venezuela and Ecuador, where residents also reported intense shaking. No tsunami threat was identified by the U.S. tsunami warning system.
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