A magnitude 7.4 earthquake was recorded in Colombia on Monday at 7:34 local time. According to data from the state geological service, as reported by the BBC, the epicentre was located near the village of San José del Palmar in the Pacific province of Chocó, at a depth of 103 kilometres. The shaking was felt across a wide area of western Colombia, including the capital Bogotá, and was also noticeable in neighbouring Venezuela.
The consequences of the earthquake are severe, with authorities declaring a state of emergency and a state of national disaster. The highest number of fatalities has been recorded in the city of Pereira, which is located in the coffee-growing region, as well as in surrounding towns and the Valle del Cauca region. The total number of victims stands at at least 132, with authorities expecting the number to rise further as rescuers continue to search for people trapped under the rubble.
More than 480 people have been injured, including residents of Quibdó, the capital of the Chocó department. Buildings in Quibdó have suffered significant damage, with extensive material damage reported across the region. The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi, posted information about the situation on the social media platform X, while the local mayor, León Fabio Marín, provided a statement on the difficult situation in the affected areas.
