A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia at 7:34 a.m. local time, centered near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the tremor originated at a depth of 107 kilometers, yet its intense horizontal shaking triggered extensive destruction across the country’s western valleys and primary coffee-growing region.
At least 111 people are confirmed dead, more than 600 others are injured, and thousands remain unaccounted for. The highest casualties are concentrated in the Risaralda province and the city of Cali, where over 2,000 residents have already been logged on digital missing-persons databases.
More than 60 multi-story buildings have completely collapsed, and over 1,600 structures report severe damage. Notable impacts include the disintegration of the passenger terminal ceiling at the Pereira Airport and the collapse of a prominent historic spire at the Manizales Cathedral.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national state of emergency to bypass bureaucratic delays, fast-track emergency disaster funds, and deploy full military and civil defense assets. Local residents and emergency crews are currently working side-by-side, forming massive human chains to clear heavy concrete debris by hand.
The civil aviation authority, Aeronautica Civil, has completely suspended commercial operations at six major regional airports, including Cali, Pereira, and Buenaventura. Runways are strictly limited to incoming military supply planes, search-and-rescue canine units, and emergency medical evacuation flights.