BOGOTA — At least 70 people were killed after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, collapsing buildings and causing widespread damage, according to reports citing Colombian authorities.
The quake struck near San Jose del Palmar in the department of Choco, with shaking felt across a broad area of the country, including major cities such as Cali and Pereira. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4 and placed its depth at about 107 km.
Pereira was among the hardest-hit areas, with authorities reporting deaths and collapsed or severely damaged structures. Emergency crews were searching damaged buildings for survivors, while officials assessed the extent of destruction across affected communities.
Early casualty figures rose rapidly as rescue operations continued. Initial reports put the death toll at 20 before later reports cited at least 69 and then more than 70 fatalities. The figures were still being verified as authorities worked to reach affected areas.
Officials also reported injuries and significant structural damage, including in Quibdo and other communities in Choco. The earthquake prompted evacuations from buildings in several cities, while authorities inspected infrastructure for further damage.
The full extent of casualties and destruction remained unclear as rescue and assessment operations continued.
