Strong quake rocks Colombia, causing extensive damage
Officials report major damage and disruptions after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake shakes Colombia and prompts evacuations.
On Monday, a powerful earthquake struck Colombia's Pacific Coast, causing significant damage and injuries in the province of Chocó and the city of Pereira, according to provincial governors. The quake, which occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time near San José del Palmar, had a magnitude of 7.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Its depth was reported at 96 km by Colombia's geological service. The country's disaster risk management unit confirmed they were in communication with local authorities to assess potential damage. The tremor was felt in Ecuador and Panama, prompting building evacuations in Bogota, Colombia's capital. Chocó's governor reported injuries and serious building damage in Quibdo.
Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, also experienced "major damage," with footage showing cracks in residential and office buildings. Similar cracks were observed in nearby cities including Armenia, Pereira, and Medellín, Venezuela. The earthquake's intensity echoed the devastating twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela in June, claiming over 6,000 lives, mostly along the capital's coast.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
