At least 250 people have died and more than 570 have been injured after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, the Colombian Association of Capital Cities reported.
The earthquake comes just over a month after two major tremors killed more than 6,300 people in neighbouring Venezuela. Five capital cities across Colombia have been placed on red alert, while 86 buildings have collapsed and seven airports have suspended operations.
The epicentre was in Chocó, Colombia’s poorest department, where more than two-thirds of the population live in poverty. The earthquake also affected the country’s “Coffee Axis”, a major hub for Colombia’s coffee industry.
In Cali, at least 85 people have died, while 188 remain missing and 37 have been rescued, according to Mayor Alejandro Eder. Around 40 buildings have collapsed, including a hospital. Eder said on Monday that around 600 troops had been deployed to assist with the response, with a further 400–500 expected to arrive overnight and an additional 232 requested. A curfew was imposed from 20:00 Monday until 06:00 Tuesday local time to protect residents while rescue operations continue.
In Pereira, 16 people were rescued after being trapped in a cable car system for six hours.
The U.S. government is providing $15.5 million in funding to Colombia for shelter, food, protection and earthquake assessments, the State Department announced on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the European Union's support and solidarity with Colombia in a recent X post. Von der Leyen said the EU had activated its Copernicus satellite service to support search and rescue operations in the affected areas. She added that the EU was ready to provide further assistance to Colombia if needed.
Columbia's 1999 earthquake
More than 25 years ago, on 25th January, 1999, another deadly earthquake struck Colombia’s coffee-growing region. The 6.1-magnitude quake killed 1,185 people, injured more than 8,500 and destroyed 35,972 homes.
The 1999 tragedy prompted Colombia to strengthen its earthquake preparedness, with evacuation drills now conducted at least twice a year in cities including Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla and Cali.
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