A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, leaving more than 130 people dead and hundreds injured as emergency crews race to search damaged buildings and rescue people who may still be trapped beneath the rubble. The disaster has caused widespread destruction across several communities and prompted an urgent national response.
The earthquake struck on Monday and was felt across a broad area of the country, including major cities. Initial reports placed the epicentre in the department of Chocó, with the powerful shaking causing buildings to collapse, damaging homes and public infrastructure, and sending frightened residents into the streets. Authorities have warned that the human and material toll could continue to rise as rescue teams reach affected areas and assess the full extent of the damage.
Emergency responders have been working against difficult conditions to locate survivors. Search-and-rescue teams have been deployed to areas where structures collapsed, while medical workers treat the large number of injured people. Reports indicate that hundreds of people have suffered injuries, adding pressure to hospitals and emergency services already dealing with the scale of the disaster.
In some of the hardest-hit locations, the destruction has left communities facing damaged roads, buildings and other essential infrastructure. Pereira and other cities in the region have reported significant structural damage, with some buildings collapsing completely. The situation has made access difficult for rescuers and complicated efforts to determine how many people remain missing or trapped.
The earthquake has also raised concerns about aftershocks, which can further weaken already damaged structures and create additional dangers for residents and rescue workers. Authorities are therefore urging people to remain cautious and follow instructions from emergency agencies as assessments continue.
The disaster comes as Colombia faces the difficult task of coordinating rescue operations, medical treatment and support for displaced families. Beyond the immediate search for survivors, authorities will have to assess thousands of buildings and determine which homes and public facilities remain safe.
For families who have lost relatives, the tragedy has already brought profound grief. Communities are also confronting uncertainty as authorities work to identify victims and establish the full scale of the destruction.
With rescue operations continuing, attention remains focused on those still missing and on providing emergency assistance to communities that have suffered the greatest damage. The death toll of more than 130 reported so far underscores the severity of the earthquake, while the continuing search suggests that the final impact may not yet be known.