Colombia struck by magnitude 7.4 earthquake

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, injuring residents and triggering widespread evacuations across several major cities.

The tremor took place at 1234GMT with an epicenter located approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) east of the town of San Jose del Palmar, according to data from the US Geological Survey.

The US agency reported that the earthquake originated at a depth of 107 km (66.5 mi).

Despite the significant strength of the quake, the US Tsunami Warning System announced that no tsunami is expected for the US states of California, Oregon, Washington, or Alaska, and also ruled out one hitting the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended air operations at six terminals, including those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura, citing the need for structural damage assessments.

The US Embassy in Bogota said it is closely monitoring the situation, urging American citizens to stay alert to local news and maintain communication with their families.

An aftershock of magnitude 5.0 struck at 1318GMT approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) west of San Jose del Palmar.

“The state is present and taking action,” Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella said following the tremor, confirming that he took direct leadership of the emergency response. He ordered the immediate establishment of a unified command post to coordinate response efforts.

De La Espriella requested a comprehensive report from the director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management on the situation in the town, situated roughly 240 km (150 mi) west of the capital Bogota. The president also confirmed he will travel to Pereira to support those affected and monitor the government's response.

The municipality, located in the Choco Department, has a population of some 4,800 and sits 1,288 meters (4,225 feet) above sea level.

Local response

The governor of Choco, Nubia Carolina Cordoba Curi, confirmed that the departmental capital, Quibdo, sustained severe structural damage and reported multiple injuries.

Firefighters in Quibdo reported that individuals are trapped inside damaged structures, while operations at the city’s airport were disrupted due to facility damage. Manizales and Cali also have collapsed buildings.

In Manizales, the capital of Caldas department, the quake caused significant destruction. Images on social media showed one of the main towers of the city's iconic cathedral sustaining severe structural failure, leaning against the central structure.

Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez confirmed that municipal disaster risk management teams are actively conducting damage assessments.

In the capital city of Bogota, emergency sirens sounded as thousands of office workers and residents evacuated into the streets.

The earthquake’s reach extended well beyond Colombia’s borders, with strong shaking reported in neighboring Ecuador and Panama.

Authorities across affected departments continue to evaluate the full extent of the casualties and physical damage.

According to experts, this is one of the strongest earthquakes of the century in the country.