A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 181 people and injuring nearly 2,600. The worst damage was reported in Cali and Pereira, where dozens of buildings collapsed and hundreds remain trapped. Authorities declared a state of emergency, mobilised rescue teams, and received international offers of aid as aftershocks continued and communities coped with widespread displacement.
7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Western Colombia — At Least 181 Dead, Hundreds Trapped
[BBC]
Rescue teams and volunteers across western Colombia are racing to find survivors after a powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck on Monday morning. The quake hit at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) and was widely felt across hundreds of miles, triggering dozens of aftershocks and widespread structural damage.
Death Toll, Damage and Displacement
Official figures place the confirmed death toll at 181, with many fatalities concentrated in the cities of Cali and Pereira. Aggregated reports from local authorities suggest the true toll may be higher — potentially exceeding 240. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency as the country mobilises search-and-rescue teams.
[BBC]
Speaking from Pereira, the president said nearly 2,600 people had been injured, almost 200 were still missing, more than 1,100 homes had been destroyed and over 8,000 homes damaged.
Cali
Cali, a city of roughly 2.2 million people, is among the hardest hit. Authorities reported 95 deaths there. A unified command post has been established to coordinate rescue operations. Local officials said 239 people remained trapped, 949 were injured and 45 buildings had either partially or completely collapsed.
Firefighters in Cali have worked to pulled survivors free from rubble [Reuters]
Several upper floors of one hospital — including paediatric units — collapsed, leaving patients and staff trapped and complicating rescue efforts. In the Calima neighbourhood, a portion of the Gimnasio Calima school collapsed, killing four children and seriously injuring others; about 30 children were transferred to care centres.
To reduce the risk of looting, a curfew was ordered from 20:00 until 06:00 the following morning.
Rescuers searched for survivors at the site of a collapsed building in Cali [Reuters]
Pereira
Pereira's fire department reported 79 deaths. The city implemented a car-free day to facilitate rescue operations and allow emergency teams free access to damaged areas. Video footage and on-the-ground reports show hundreds of volunteers joining professional crews to remove rubble and search for survivors.
A resident of the Parque Industrial neighbourhood near the airport described widespread shock and disruption: collapsed buildings in Bolívar Square, trapped buses and trucks, and blocked routes hampering movement across the city centre.
Large numbers of volunteers joined the effort to free survivors in Pereira [Reuters]
Other Affected Areas
Manizales reported five deaths and around 60 buildings partially or totally collapsed. Across the country, dozens of larger structures have been reported damaged or collapsed. Many residents spent the night outdoors in cities such as Pereira and Cali because their homes were unsafe or they feared further collapses.
Aftershocks and Safety
Colombia's geological service recorded more than 70 aftershocks following the main tremor, including two magnitude-3.6 events early on Tuesday near San José del Palmar and Santander. Officials urged the public to remain cautious and to avoid sharing unverified information on social media, which can spread panic and hinder the response.
International Aid and Response
The international community has offered support. A UN spokesperson said Secretary-General António Guterres expressed solidarity with Colombia and that the UN is working to support response efforts. Spanish officials reported dozens of their citizens missing, while the U.S. administration announced a donation of $15.5m to assist relief. Offers of help have also come from Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador and Venezuela.
On-the-ground efforts: Firefighters, civil defense teams and hundreds of volunteers are working around the clock to pull survivors from rubble, treat the injured and assess structural safety.
Note: Figures are based on official statements and aggregated local reports at the time of publication and may change as rescue operations continue and further information becomes available.
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