A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, toppling buildings in cities including Cali, Pereira and Manizales. More than 100 people have been reported dead as rescue teams search collapsed structures.
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Key facts
- The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck at 7.34am local time on Monday, with its epicentre in the western department of Chocó, according to the US and Colombian geological surveys.
- More than 100 people have been reported dead, according to the Guardian.
- People remained trapped in Cali after more than two dozen structures collapsed, said mayor Alejandro Eder.
- In Manizales, more than 12 buildings and 20 homes were partially or completely destroyed, said mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo.
- The quake was also felt in neighbouring Venezuela.
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, causing serious damage and collapsing buildings across several major cities including Cali and Pereira, according to the Guardian. The US and Colombian geological surveys reported that the quake hit at 7.34am local time (13.34 BST), with its epicentre in the western department of Chocó.
The death toll rose sharply through the day as the scale of the disaster became clearer. Early reports on Monday cited at least 20 dead, before figures climbed to at least 47 and then to more than 70 as rescue efforts continued. By later in the day, the Guardian reported that more than 100 people had died.
In Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, people remained trapped after more than two dozen structures collapsed, mayor Alejandro Eder said. He added that the city had asked authorities in Bogotá and Medellín to send disaster teams to support rescue efforts. Residents and rescue workers were searching the rubble of collapsed buildings on Monday morning.
Jorge Moncayo, a 64-year-old taxi driver in Cali, said he saw plumes of dust shoot up across the city from his home in the mountains as buildings collapsed after the earthquake, according to the Guardian.
In Manizales, mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo said more than 12 buildings and 20 homes had been partially or completely destroyed in that city. In a social media video, he said at least two people had died there as a result of the quake and urged citizens to be “completely ready” for aftershocks.
The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Venezuela, and prompted evacuations across the affected region. Emergency teams were still assessing the full impact of the quake, according to Al Jazeera.
Why it matters
A major earthquake striking populated cities can cause mass casualties and widespread destruction within seconds, and the rising death toll shows how quickly such disasters escalate. The scale of collapse in cities like Cali highlights the urgent need for coordinated rescue efforts and preparedness for aftershocks.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the Colombia earthquake strike?
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake had its epicentre in the western department of Chocó and struck at 7.34am local time on Monday. It caused damage in major cities including Cali and Pereira and was also felt in neighbouring Venezuela, according to the Guardian.
How many people have died?
Reports of the death toll rose throughout Monday, from at least 20 early in the day to more than 100 later, according to the Guardian, as rescue teams continued searching collapsed buildings.
What are authorities doing in response?
In Cali, mayor Alejandro Eder said the city had asked authorities in Bogotá and Medellín to send disaster teams to support rescue efforts, while residents and rescue workers searched the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Timeline
- More than 100 dead and buildings collapsed after 7.4-magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia – latest news
The Guardian World: More than a dozen buildings collapsed in aftermath of earthquake, which has also prompted evacuations People remain trapped in Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, after more than two dozen structures collapsed, mayor Alejandro Eder said. He added that the city had asked a
- More than 70 dead and buildings collapsed after 7.4-magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia – latest news
The Guardian World: More than a dozen buildings collapsed in aftermath of earthquake, which has also prompted evacuations People remain trapped in Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, after more than two dozen structures collapsed, mayor Alejandro Eder said. He added that the city had asked a
- Photos: 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks western Colombia
Al Jazeera: A powerful earthquake kills more than 47 people and topples buildings across western Colombia.
- At least 47 dead and buildings collapsed after 7.4-magnitude earthquake shakes western Colombia – latest news
The Guardian World: More than a dozen buildings collapsed in aftermath of earthquake, which has also prompted evacuations People remain trapped in Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, after more than two dozen structures collapsed, mayor Alejandro Eder said. He added that the city had asked a
- At least 20 dead after 7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia – latest news
The Guardian World: More than a dozen buildings collapsed in aftermath of earthquake, which has also prompted evacuations Jorge Moncayo, a 64-year-old taxi driver in Colombia’s third-biggest city, Cali, said he saw plumes of dust shoot up across the city from him home in the mountains as buildings c
- 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Colombia killing at least 20
Al Jazeera: Emergency teams are still assessing the impact of the quake that was felt across the region.
- 7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia, causing serious damage – latest news
The Guardian World: More than a dozen buildings collapsed in aftermath of earthquake, which has also prompted evacuations Manizales’ mayor, Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo, said more than 12 buildings and 20 homes had been partially or completely destroyed in that city. At least two people had died as a
- Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes western Colombia
The Guardian World: Reports of collapsed and severely damaged buildings in several major cities, including Cali and Pereira Colombia earthquake live – latest updates A powerful earthquake has struck western Colombia, with reports of collapsed and severely damaged buildings in major cities including