At Least 111 Dead as Colombia's Strongest Quake in a Decade Levels Buildings

Bogota: Colombia was struck by a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake on Monday, claiming at least 111 lives and reducing hundreds of buildings to rubble, with rescue crews and desperate families digging through the wreckage in search of survivors.

President Abelardo de la Espriella reported at least 87 people injured and moved swiftly to declare an emergency, aimed at unlocking funds for disaster relief. He announced plans to visit the worst-hit areas himself, vowing that no one affected would be left to face the crisis alone.

The US Geological Survey traced the quake's epicentre to San Jose Del Palmar, a small town of about 4,800 people in Choco region located roughly 250 miles from the capital, Bogota. The tremors extended into neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, though damage there was limited.

Widespread destruction across the west

Major cities including Pereira, Quibdo, Cali and Manizales all suffered significant damage, with the interior minister confirming impacts across more than 20 municipalities countrywide. Officials cautioned that aftershocks remained a risk even as recovery operations got underway.

The quake's origin point sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically volatile zone circling the ocean. Choco, among Colombia's most impoverished and inaccessible regions — reachable largely by boat or air through dense jungle — poses added challenges for authorities trying to gauge the full scale of the disaster.

Casualties reported across several regions

Ahead of the president's confirmed toll of 111, local authorities had already reported 40 deaths in Risaralda — home to hard-hit Pereira — and 27 in Valle del Cauca, where Cali, the country's third-largest city, is situated; the regional governor said at least three victims there were children. Further fatalities were recorded in Choco (nine), Caldas (two), and a single death in Antioquia involving a 73-year-old resident.

Colombia's Geological Service labelled it the country's most powerful earthquake in ten years, noting two aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 4.8 in magnitude. Air travel was disrupted, with flights grounded at airports in Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura and Pereira.

Disaster follows Venezuela's deadly quakes

The event has compounded regional anxiety following a pair of earthquakes that devastated Venezuela in late June, killing more than 5,000 people and destroying hundreds of structures — with families there still recovering bodies from the rubble even as Colombia now confronts its own tragedy.

Local media footage from Pereira showed airport ceiling panels collapsing onto terrified travellers as people fled through debris-covered streets. Mayor Mauricio Salazar told a radio station that 18 deaths had been confirmed in the city, with fears that many more remained buried beneath collapsed structures.

In the mountain city of Manizales, part of Colombia's coffee-growing belt, a tower from the neo-Gothic cathedral came crashing down onto the nave, prompting Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas to advise residents to stay outdoors given the aftershock risk, Associated press reported. In Choco, close to the epicentre, officials confirmed injuries and structural damage but had yet to release more details.

Cali's Mayor Alejandro Eder said 19 buildings had collapsed in the city, trapping an unknown number of residents.

De la Espriella, who took office last week, said he had assumed direct oversight of the government's response in San Jose del Palmar, telling residents the state stood firmly behind them. The earthquake represents the first significant crisis of his presidency.

Support poured in from across the Americas, with Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador and the United States all extending condolences and offers of assistance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was tracking developments closely and is prepared to help. Multiple nations pledged aid, and the United Nations, through deputy spokesman Farhan Haq, said it is also ready to assist as needed.