A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rattled western Colombia early on Monday, causing widespread damage to buildings in several cities and sending residents rushing into the streets, according to officials and witnesses.
The Colombian Geological Service and the US Geological Survey (USGS) both measured the quake at magnitude 7.4. Its epicentre was located approximately 100 kilometres (60 miles) underground in western Colombia. Colombian authorities had initially recorded the magnitude at 6.6.
The significant tremor was felt not only across Colombia but also in neighbouring Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. Officials confirmed there was no immediate tsunami threat following the seismic event.
Reports of damage emerged from various parts of western Colombia. In Choco province, the governor reported injuries and substantial damage in the capital city, Quibdo, where video footage showed a collapsed building. Buildings were also damaged in Pereira and Manizales, located in Colombia's prominent coffee-growing Eje Cafetero region.
Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that his city had sustained major damage, prompting authorities to deploy drones to assess the full extent of the situation. Several airports in western Colombia temporarily suspended operations to allow authorities to inspect infrastructure for safety.
In the capital, Bogota, emergency sirens sounded, leading residents to evacuate buildings and gather outdoors. Mayor Carlos Galan indicated that initial assessments suggested Bogota had largely avoided major structural damage, though cracks were reported on some building facades.
Residents described the earthquake as exceptionally strong. Martha Estrada, a 66-year-old resident of the coffee-growing region, told AFP that power and mobile phone services were disrupted. “There is no electricity or cell phone coverage,” she said. “It was strong, really strong. Things fell in my house.” In Bogota, 29-year-old Valeria Polo characterized the earthquake as “very, very strong.”
Emergency and medical teams have been dispatched to the affected areas to assess casualties and damage. Authorities continue to monitor for potential aftershocks and additional structural failures. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced his intention to travel to the affected region as emergency operations remain underway.
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