Scores dead in Colombia after powerful earthquake strikes west of country

Devastation Sweeps Western Colombia as Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Claims Over 100 Lives

Wanderstayfinder.com – A catastrophic seismic event has transformed the western regions of Colombia, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple departments and claiming more than 100 lives. The powerful earthquake, registered at 7.4 on the moment magnitude scale, struck at 7:34am local time on Monday, with its epicenter located in the western department of Chocó. The tremor sent shockwaves through major urban centers including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales, where buildings collapsed and residents scrambled for safety.

Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office just days before the disaster, announced that 111 people had perished while 87 others sustained injuries. The presidential office confirmed that 61 structures had completely collapsed, with many more suffering severe structural damage. In a national address delivered around 1pm local time, the president declared a national state of emergency and outlined the government’s immediate priorities.

The national government has all of its capabilities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever it is needed. The first priority is rescuing the people trapped under the rubble.

Regional Toll and Infrastructure Collapse

The western corridor of Colombia bore the brunt of the seismic violence. Valle del Cauca department recorded 27 fatalities, while Pereira, the capital of Risaralda department, suffered 40 deaths. Manizales, capital of Caldas department, confirmed at least two casualties, though officials warned the final count could rise as search operations continue through damaged neighborhoods.

Manizales mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo reported that at least 12 commercial buildings and 20 residential homes had been partially or completely destroyed. In a video message to residents, he urged caution regarding aftershocks. Do not go back into the buildings yet. I know this isn’t easy but stay outside for a little while at least because there could be an aftershock.

Cali experienced significant structural failures, with mayor Alejandro Eder confirming that at least 20 buildings had collapsed. Social media footage captured desperate rescue efforts as people searched through the wreckage of a four-story hotel. Eder emphasized the importance of structural assessment before residents returned to damaged properties. If you do not feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please leave the building.

Pereira emerged as one of the hardest-hit cities, with mayor Mauricio Salazar reporting that 65 buildings had collapsed. Victims were believed trapped in at least 15 of these structures. Five of the city’s hospitals became overwhelmed with injured patients, straining medical resources in an already difficult situation.

Eyewitness Accounts of Terror

Residents described harrowing experiences as the earthquake unfolded. Raúl Andrés Buitrago, a business customer service manager in Pereira, was commuting to work when his smartwatch issued a seismic alert. There are often little tremors here, he explained. But I’d never felt an earthquake like this. It started softly, softly, softly, then it felt like it was getting stronger every second.

Buitrago recounted fleeing to the streets of the city center, where many historic buildings stood. The roofs started to fall in. The buildings collapsed in on themselves. The panic was terrible. They were the four longest minutes of my life.

Video footage circulating on social platforms showed dramatic scenes across multiple cities. In Pereira, part of the historic San José church crumbled as palm trees surrounding it swayed violently. Another clip captured by newspaper El Tiempo documented a building giving way in Manizales. In Cali, residents were seen sprinting from structures as they collapsed around them.

Government Response and Regional Impact

Chocó governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba confirmed that Quibdó, the department capital, had sustained significant damage with multiple injuries reported. President de la Espriella visited Quibdó where he announced rent subsidies for displaced families, then traveled to Cali to assess the situation firsthand.

Security concerns prompted authorities in Cali, Armenia, and Manizales to implement curfews. Mayor Eder of Cali explained that threats of looting had forced the deployment of police and military personnel to the streets. De la Espriella promised an additional 1,000 security personnel for Cali to help maintain order during the recovery period.

Aviation infrastructure suffered widespread damage, with airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Cartago, Armenia, and Buenaventura reporting structural problems. These disruptions threatened both domestic connectivity and international travel during the emergency response phase.

International Aid and Regional Context

The earthquake arrived as Colombia was still processing the aftermath of a devastating double earthquake that struck neighboring Venezuela on June 24. That disaster killed more than 6,000 people along Venezuela’s northern coast, creating a regional humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold.

International support began arriving quickly. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration would provide $15.5 million in emergency assistance. The United States has positioned itself as a key supporter of Colombia’s new rightwing president, who took office on Friday, just days before the seismic catastrophe.

As search and rescue operations continue across western Colombia, officials warned that the death toll could rise as emergency crews gain access to more damaged buildings. The government has mobilized resources from across the country, with recovery efforts expected to span weeks or months as communities rebuild from one of the most powerful earthquakes to strike the region in recent decades.