Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes western Colombia

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, causing extensive damage to buildings in cities such as Cali and Pereira. The epicenter of the quake was located in the western department of Chocó, and it was also felt in neighboring Venezuela. Social media footage showed residents in Cali searching for victims among the rubble, while a woman was seen fleeing from a collapsing building in Manizales, the capital of Caldas department.

In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, numerous buildings were reported severely damaged, resulting in injuries among the population. President Abelardo De La Espriella, who assumed office the previous day, pledged government support in the aftermath of the disaster, stating that the state was present and taking action. The earthquake arrives in the wake of recent seismic activity in Venezuela, where twin earthquakes devastated the northern coast, resulting in over 6,000 fatalities.