20 killed, several trapped under rubble after 7.4-magnitude quake rocks Colombia

COLOMBIA, AUG 10 : A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, killing at least 20 people and causing multiple buildings to collapse, according to local officials. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake occurred at 12:34 UTC, or around 7:34 am local time, about 5 km east of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Choco department. It was recorded at a depth of about 107 km.

The mayor of Pereira said 18 people were killed in the earthquake, while the mayor of Manizales told BLU Radio that two people had died in the city. The US Tsunami Warning System said there was no tsunami warning after the quake struck Colombia’s Pacific coast. The tremor was felt in several parts of Colombia, including areas far from the epicentre. It was also reported across the border in Venezuela.

BUILDINGS COLLAPSE IN CALI

The extent of the damage became clearer as authorities began assessing the impact of the powerful earthquake. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings had collapsed in the city and that people were trapped inside some of the structures.

“At this moment we have at least 20 collapsed structures in Cali, with people trapped. We are already on the front lines of this emergency with all the rescue organizations of Cali. I have requested support from the mayor of Bogot and the mayor of Medelln with rescue teams,” he said.

“I ask the citizens to remain calm. Check if there are any apparent structural damages in your buildings. If you do not feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please, leave the building,” he added.

Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi had earlier said the earthquake caused injuries and significant damage to buildings in the departmental capital, Quibdo. She said authorities were assessing the damage and warned of possible aftershocks.

“We have just experienced a major earthquake in the department of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo. We are already carrying out a damage assessment and will issue the first official report shortly,” governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi said on X.

AIRPORT OPERATIONS SUSPENDED

The earthquake also disrupted air travel across parts of Colombia. The country’s aviation authority reported damage at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.

Air operations at the affected terminals were suspended as authorities assessed the damage and checked whether the facilities were safe for passengers and aircraft.

Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said it was coordinating with local authorities to verify reports of damage and assess the situation following the earthquake. In the capital Bogota, Mayor Carlos Galan said there was no major damage reported in the city.

TREMOR FELT IN VENEZUELA

The earthquake was also felt across the border in Venezuela.

Reuters witnesses in the state of Tachira, which borders Colombia, reported feeling the tremor. Shaking was also reported in Barquisimeto, a city in central-western Venezuela. The tremor comes less than two months after Venezuela was hit by devastating twin earthquakes in June. Those earthquakes killed more than 6,000 people, with most of the deaths reported along the coast near the capital, Caracas.

COLOMBIA’S EARTHQUAKE RISK

Colombia is one of South America’s most seismically active countries. Its location near several tectonic plate boundaries and major fault systems means earthquakes can occur across different parts of the country. The Colombian Geological Service says the country has recorded more than 100 destructive earthquakes, particularly in the Andean region, the eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera and the Pacific region.

The country has experienced several powerful earthquakes in the past. One of the most destructive was the magnitude 8 earthquake near Tumaco in southwestern Colombia in 1979. Authorities are continuing to assess the damage from Monday’s earthquake, while emergency teams remain focused on searching collapsed structures and rescuing people who may still be trapped.

-AFP