A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 132 people and injuring over 570, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency across the affected regions.
Western Colombia experienced one of its strongest earthquakes in recent years when a magnitude-7.4 tremor struck early Monday morning. The quake occurred at 07:34 local time at a depth of 103 kilometers in Chocó province, according to the country's geological service. The impact was felt across a broad geographical area spanning hundreds of miles through western Colombia.
According to the Colombian government's latest assessment, the disaster has claimed 132 lives with more than 570 individuals sustaining injuries. The widespread destruction prompted officials to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar village in Chocó province, though local authorities reported that the immediate vicinity of the epicenter escaped fatalities despite experiencing significant infrastructure damage to connecting roads.
The most severe casualties and damage have been concentrated in the city of Pereira, located in Colombia's renowned coffee-growing region, which lies approximately 55 kilometers from the epicenter. The earthquake's destruction has also extended to surrounding municipalities and the Valle del Cauca region. Emergency response efforts continue as authorities assess the full extent of the damage across the affected territories.
