Strong Earthquake Strikes Colombia: Death Toll Rises and Dozens of Buildings Collapse

At least 47 people are confirmed dead and dozens of buildings have collapsed following the most powerful earthquake to hit Colombia in a decade.

Casualties Reported Across Multiple Regions

At least 18 people were killed in the city of Pereira, two in Manizales, and 27 in the Valle de Cauca department, which includes Colombia’s third-largest city, Cali. Earlier reports had indicated at least 20 fatalities.

Extensive Structural Damage and Rescue Operations

Dozens of buildings collapsed in cities located in the western part of the country. Residents and rescue teams are searching through the rubble, while authorities warn of potential aftershocks. The affected locations include Pereira, Quibdo, Cali, and Manizales.

Epicenter and Geological Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 100 km underground in the town of San Jose del Palmar, in the Choco department, roughly 280 km west of the national capital, Bogota. The tremors occurred at 7:34 AM local time (14:34 in Poland).

Strongest Quake in a Decade and Regional Impact

National geological services reported that this is the strongest earthquake in Colombia in the past decade, adding that two aftershocks with magnitudes of 2.8 and 4.8 have been recorded so far. According to media reports, the tremors were also felt in Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela, the latter of which was struck by a double earthquake in June that killed at least 6,000 people.

The text is being updated.