Magnitude 7.4 earthquake claims 132 lives across western Colombia

One hundred and thirty-two people died and 570 sustained injuries when a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday.Colombian Association of Capital Cities officials confirmed the disaster prompted an emergency response meeting with the head of state. Pereira, a city home to around 500,000 residents, suffered the heaviest initial toll with 60 reported fatalities.

Located less than 64 kilometres from the epicentre, Pereira bore the brunt of the seismic energy. South American nations sitting along the geologically unstable Pacific Ring of Fire frequently experience deep tectonic shifts, making western Colombia highly susceptible to such destructive tremors.

Tremors Trigger Red Alerts

Five capital cities currently operate under a red alert as emergency crews assess widespread destruction. Representatives from the capital cities association recorded 86 collapsed buildings, forcing officials to suspend flight operations across seven different airports.

President Abelardo de la Espriella shared additional stark statistics regarding the structural toll. Rescue teams found 1,577 residential buildings damaged and 37 completely destroyed. Beyond residential zones, the president noted that more than 60 structures collapsed entirely, bringing down 18 health centres and 52 schools in the process.

Epicentre and Immediate Impact

United States Geological Survey instruments registered the quake around 7:34 am local time.Seismologists traced the epicentre to a depth of 107 kilometres near San Jose del Palmar, within the Choco region, approximately 280 kilometres west of Bogota.

Risaralda Governor Juan Diego Patino told BluRadio that his western-central department remains the hardest-hit zone. Similarly, Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba Curi reported severe building damage and multiple injuries in Quibdo, expressing deep concern about potential aftershocks threatening unstable structures.

Rescue Efforts Gather Speed

President de la Espriella quickly convened an emergency committee. He pledged that the national government will do whatever is necessary to protect citizens, promising to personally lead efforts to guide the country through this tragedy.

Tremors rattled several municipalities, including Bogota, where alarm systems sent residents fleeing into the streets for safety. Bogota Mayor Carlos F Galan turned to X, setting up six collection points to gather essential supplies. Officials requested drinking water, blankets, quilts, mats, non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and first aid supplies for affected families.

Galan confirmed Bogota escaped serious structural damage.Consequently, city administrators deployed 100 highly trained rescuers to the hardest-hit regions to support ongoing search operations. As Galan stated, they are ready to continue helping so that the response is as swift as possible, reminding citizens they are all in this together.

With Inputs from Agency Threads  and Image Courtesy: ABC News