A 7.4-magnitude earthquake has hit Colombia, killing more than 100 people and damaging thousands of buildings. As rescue teams search for survivors, international aid has begun to arrive.
Image: Jonh Bonilla/AFP
The major earthquake that shook western Colombia on Monday was felt as far away as Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) west of the capital, Bogota.
Image: Giovanny Galvez/AFP
Many people left their homes and other buildings, seeking safety. The US Geological Survey and its Colombian partner agency both reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.4, with Colombian authorities saying it had been “the highest magnitude earthquake registered in Colombia in the last decade.”
Image: Andres Camilo Valencia/REUTERS
In the city of Cali, rescue workers and residents searched the rubble of destroyed buildings for survivors. “The building completely collapsed. It sounded like a bomb,” local Juan Carlos Osorio told Caracol Television. The remote Choco region, the epicenter of Monday’s quake, remains difficult to reach. Many places can only be accessed by boat or plane. In Quibdo, telephone service was also down.
Image: Marco Trujillo/REUTERS
Initial reports had put the death toll at 21. According to official figures, the number has now risen to more than 110. The city of Pereira (pictured) was particularly hard hit, with Mayor Mauricio Salazar calling it “a tragedy for the whole city, for thousands of families.”
Image: Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP
Colombia’s new President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has only been in office since August 6, has declared a nationwide state of emergency. The government is mobilizing all available resources to respond to the disaster, giving priority to rescuing people trapped under the rubble.
Image: Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP
According to the Interior Ministry, more than 20 municipalities in Colombia have been affected by the earthquake. More than 1,500 homes were severely damaged in the department of Risaralda, known for its coffee production, and regional capital Pereira, and around 60 buildings have completely collapsed. Eighteen hospitals and 52 schools were also damaged.
Image: Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP
Washington has announced it is sending support for Colombia, with the US State Department providing $15.5 million (€13.4 million) for emergency shelters, food and other relief efforts. El Salvador, Mexico and Chile have also pledged support.
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