BOGOTA — A powerful earthquake killed at least 22 people in western Colombia on Monday. The quake also collapsed buildings in several cities and trapped people under the rubble, local officials said.
The strongest impact came in Colombia’s coffee-growing region. Pereira recorded the highest number of deaths, with 18 people killed, according to Mayor Mauricio Salazar.
Authorities also reported three deaths in nearby Manizales. Another person died in Buenaventura after a building collapsed.
Pereira Reports 18 Deaths
Pereira suffered the highest reported death toll after the earthquake struck the region.
Mayor Mauricio Salazar said 18 people had died in the city. Rescue workers continued to search damaged buildings for survivors.
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Authorities have not yet provided a full assessment of the damage across Pereira.
The earthquake also caused serious damage in other cities across western Colombia.
Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Cali
Several buildings collapsed in Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities.
Mayor Alejandro Eder said more than two dozen structures had collapsed. He added that several people remained trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams had already pulled two people alive from damaged structures. The survivors included an elderly woman and a young girl.
Eder said authorities had identified at least 12 critical locations across the city. Emergency teams continued rescue operations at 25 collapsed structures.
Cali also requested additional disaster-response teams from Bogota and Medellin.
Death Reported in Buenaventura
A building collapse in Buenaventura killed one person and trapped several others.
Mayor Ligia del Carmen Cordoba said rescue teams were working at the site.
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Buenaventura serves as Colombia’s main Pacific port. The city lies near the country’s western coastline.
The earthquake also caused damage in Choco province, where officials warned residents about possible aftershocks.
Quibdo Reports Injuries and Damage
The earthquake’s epicenter lay near San Jose del Palmar in Choco province.
Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi reported injuries and significant damage in Quibdo, the provincial capital.
She urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks.
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time, according to Colombia’s disaster agency.
Officials said people felt the quake across nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals.
Airports Suspend Flights
Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended flights at several airports after the earthquake.
The affected airports included Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.
Inspectors began checking airport facilities for structural damage before authorities could resume normal operations.
The temporary flight suspensions added to the disruption caused by the earthquake.
Earthquake Measured at 7.4 Magnitude
Colombia’s geological service measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.4.
The agency placed the earthquake at a depth of about 96 kilometers, or 60 miles.
The U.S. tsunami warning system said the earthquake did not pose a tsunami threat.
People also felt the earthquake across the border in Venezuela.
Reuters witnesses reported strong shaking in Tachira state and Barquisimeto in central-western Venezuela.
Authorities Continue Damage Assessment
Emergency crews across western Colombia continued to assess the damage and search for people who remained trapped.
Officials have warned residents to prepare for possible aftershocks.
The full scale of the damage remains unclear as rescue teams reach affected areas.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates on casualties, collapsed buildings and rescue operations as assessments continue.
