Strong tremor hits Choco province as emergency teams search rubble for trapped residents and authorities assess widespread structural damage
BOGOTA: A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia’s coastal Choco province on Monday morning, collapsing buildings, injuring residents and leaving an unknown number of people trapped beneath rubble.
The Colombian Geological Service said the earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time at a depth of approximately 79 kilometres, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar.
Initially, authorities measured the earthquake at magnitude 6.6 before revising it upward to 7.4. Shortly afterward, officials recorded another magnitude 4.8 seismic event in the same region.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said the earthquake posed no tsunami threat.
Emergency Teams Search Collapsed Buildings
Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi reported numerous injuries and severe structural damage across affected areas. Authorities immediately began assessing buildings and infrastructure to determine the full scale of destruction.
Furthermore, Santiago de Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 structures had collapsed, leaving people trapped under debris as emergency personnel launched rescue operations.
Videos circulating on social media also appeared to show sections of the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica in Manizales crumbling during the powerful tremor.
Government Coordinates Emergency Response
Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella convened an emergency meeting with disaster management officials to evaluate damage reports and coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Authorities continued receiving information from affected communities as emergency teams searched damaged buildings and worked to determine casualty figures.
Meanwhile, Israel offered assistance to Colombia following the earthquake. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he had contacted his Colombian counterpart and expressed readiness to provide support.
“Israel is prepared to assist Colombia as much as required,” Sa’ar said, while expressing solidarity with Colombians affected by the disaster.
Officials have yet to announce a confirmed death toll as rescue operations and damage assessments continue across affected regions.
