International Desk – Report by Swati
Bogotá
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 132 people and injuring more than 570, according to the latest reports. Rescue and relief operations are continuing as the number of casualties and missing persons is expected to rise. According to Colombian authorities, 1,577 residential buildings have suffered damage, while 37 buildings were completely destroyed. More than 60 buildings reportedly collapsed, with 18 health centres and 52 schools also affected.
The earthquake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó, about 280 kilometres west of Bogotá. The USGS reported the quake at a depth of roughly 107 kilometres. Pereira was among the worst-hit cities, with reports indicating around 60 fatalities there. The city, home to nearly half a million people, lies about 64 kilometres from the reported epicentre. Authorities have launched large-scale rescue operations, while residents continue searching for missing family members. Reports indicate that more than 2,000 people have been listed as missing, highlighting the scale of the disaster. The situation remains dynamic, with casualty figures and damage assessments likely to change as rescue teams reach affected areas.
