A powerful 7.4‑magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, collapsing dozens of buildings and leaving many trapped under rubble, officials said.
Where and how the quake struck
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the seismic event was centred near San José del Palmar, a small community in the Chocó region located roughly 400 kilometres west of Bogotá. Tremors were felt across a wide area of the country and even reported in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, though those countries reported minimal damage.
| Magnitude | 7.4 |
| Epicentre | San José del Palmar, Chocó region |
| Fatalities reported | At least 111 |
| Injuries reported | At least 87 |
| Date | Monday (local time) |
Human toll and immediate response
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an emergency to accelerate funding for recovery efforts and said he would travel to the affected area. Authorities reported dozens of collapsed buildings and numerous people trapped in debris; rescuers and loved ones were engaged in search efforts amid scenes of panic and evacuation.
"We aren't going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination,"
The president also said at least 87 people were injured. Local officials and emergency services have been mobilised to respond to structural collapses and to provide urgent care and shelter for people displaced by the quake.
Regional effects and concerns
Although the most severe damage was concentrated in western Colombian population centres near the epicentre, the shaking extended to Bogotá — several hundred kilometres away — prompting evacuations there as well. The quake’s reach into neighbouring Ecuador and Panama underscores the potential for strong seismic events on the Pacific margin to have cross‑border effects.
- Rescue operations: Search teams are prioritizing areas with collapsed buildings to find survivors.
- Emergency funding: The government has declared an emergency to expedite resources for response and recovery.
- Regional alertness: Neighbouring countries reported feeling the tremor, though with minimal damage.
News outlets described chaotic scenes in some towns and cities as people fled damaged buildings. Audio and video from the scene captured residents screaming and running into the streets when the shaking began.
What comes next
Officials will continue to assess the scale of structural damage, tally casualties and identify the most urgent needs for survivors. Declaring an emergency allows Colombia’s government to unlock funds and mobilize wider assistance more quickly, but recovery in quake‑hit communities — especially smaller towns such as San José del Palmar — is likely to be challenging given the scale of destruction reported.
International agencies and nearby governments often monitor such events for opportunities to offer humanitarian support; at this stage the available reports indicate the most pressing priorities are search and rescue, medical treatment for the injured and temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue rescue and damage‑assessment operations in the aftermath of one of the deadliest quakes to strike Colombia in recent years.
