A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, affecting both Colombia and neighboring Ecuador and forcing residents in several cities to evacuate urgently.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Colombian Geological Service, the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar in the province of Choco, about 400 kilometers west of the capital Bogota. While Colombia initially measured the quake at magnitude 6.6, the USGS determined it had a depth of about 107 kilometers. The U.S. tsunami warning system said there was no tsunami risk.
Nubia Cordoba, governor of Choco province, said on social media: “We have just experienced a major earthquake in the province of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injured people and significant damage in the capital Quibdo. We are conducting damage assessments and will soon release an official report.”
Authorities in Colombia and Ecuador urged people in affected areas to remain vigilant as rescue teams assessed the impact of the earthquake. In the capital Bogota, buildings were evacuated, and media images showed several structures collapsed in other areas.
The mayor of Pereira city said 18 people died there, while Manizales city reported 2 fatalities, according to Reuters and AP. Broadcast videos showed destroyed buildings in Pereira, Manizales, and the coffee-growing region Eje Cafetero.
The earthquake comes just weeks after two powerful quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela in late June, killing more than 6,000 people and destroying hundreds of buildings in that area.
