A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, shaking the South American nation and neighboring Ecuador, forcing residents to evacuate homes and buildings.
Mayor Alejandro Eder of Cali reported that at least 20 buildings collapsed in Monday's quake, with many people trapped inside. The city has requested rescue teams from Bogota and Medellin to assist in response efforts.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colombia's geological agency, the epicenter was located in San Jose Del Palmar, a municipality in the Choco region, approximately 400 kilometers west of the capital Bogota. The earthquake struck at a depth of 107 kilometers.
Choco Governor Nubia Córdoba posted on social media that the regional capital has "injured people and severely damaged buildings," but did not provide further details.
The quake follows two successive earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 in Venezuela in late June. Those quakes destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed more than 5,000 people.
