At least 20 dead after 7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia – latest news

The ⁠death toll after a ⁠strong earthquake ⁠that rocked ​western Colombia ⁠has risen to at least ⁠20, authorities said.

In ​the ‌town ‌of Pereira, 18 ‌people were killed and others were trapped in buildings that ‌collapsed, mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol ​Radio.

In Manizales, two people were killed, ⁠mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas ​said in ​an ​interview with ​Blu ‌Radio.

Manizales’ mayor, Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo, said more than 12 buildings and 20 homes had been partially or completely destroyed in that city.

At least two people had died as a result of the quake, Rojas added in a social media video. He said citizens needed to be “completely ready” for aftershocks.

“Do not go back into the buildings yet – I know this isn’t easy but stay outside for a little while at least because there could be an aftershock.”

The mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, said at least 20 buildings had collapsed in his city and that some people were trapped inside. He did not specify how many.

“Right now, we are trying to map out what has happened, firstly to protect lives and secondly to be able to push ahead with any kind of rescue that might be necessary,” Eder said, urging citizens to stay calm.

Cali’s mayor also instructed residents to check their buildings for structural damage. “If you do not feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please, leave the building,” he advised.

Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella said in a post on X that he will personally supervise recovery efforts and install an emergency centre in San Jose del Palmar.

The quake follows two back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela in late June. Those earthquakes destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed more than 5,000 people.

Footage shared by local media outlets showed homes and small buildings collapsing in the cities of Pereira, Cali and Quibdo.

In Manizales, a city about 190 miles (300km) west of Bogota, one of the towers of the neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed and fell on the nave.

In Cali, a city of 2m people, mayor Alejandro Eder said that residents were trapped in at least 19 buildings that had collapsed.

Small earthquakes, known as “temblores,” are common in central and western Colombia, but those above 6.0 magnitude are rare. In 1999, a 6.2 magnitude quake near the city of Armenia, killed more than 1,100 people.

Six airports damaged in today’s earthquake in Colombia have suspended operations, the civil aeronautics agency said.

These airports in western Colombia serve Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura, the agency wrote on X.

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia today, shaking the South American nation and neighbouring Ecuador and causing people to evacuate homes and buildings.

At least 20 ⁠buildings ⁠collapsed in ​an earthquake on ⁠Monday in the ⁠Colombian ​city ‌of ‌Cali, with people ‌trapped inside, mayor Alejandro Eder said. The city ‌has requested teams ​from Bogota and ⁠Medellin to ​aid in rescue ​efforts, ​he added.

The epicentre was in San Jose Del Palmar, a municipality in the Choco region about 250 miles (400km) west of Colombia’s capital, Bogota, the US Geological Survey and Colombia’s counterpart reported. The USGS said it struck at a depth of 66 miles (107km).

Choco governor Nubia Córdoba said on social media that in the regional capital, “there are injuries and serious damage to buildings,” without providing further details.

The temblor follows two back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela in late June. Those earthquakes destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed more than 5,000 people.