A powerful earthquake struck Colombia's Choco region, causing widespread building collapses, multiple deaths, and the suspension of flights at several airports.

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring at least 87 others. President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of emergency as search teams and residents work to locate survivors trapped under debris in more than 20 affected municipalities.

Impact and Emergency Response

The earthquake's epicenter was located in San Jose Del Palmar in the Choco region, at a depth of 107 kilometers. The tremors were felt as far as Bogotá and in neighboring Ecuador and Panama, though damage in those countries was reported as minimal. In Colombia, the destruction is widespread, with major structural damage reported in cities including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales, where a neo-Gothic cathedral tower collapsed. Authorities have suspended flight operations at airports in Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Pereira. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the European Union has mobilized its Copernicus satellite service to assist with ongoing rescue operations.

Regional Context

Colombia's Geological Service identified the event as the highest magnitude earthquake registered in the country in the last decade. The initial quake was followed by aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 4.8 in magnitude. The disaster comes shortly after a series of earthquakes in late June devastated neighboring Venezuela, resulting in over 5,000 deaths.