ALBAWABA- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 74 people and injuring dozens, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue teams continue searching damaged and collapsed buildings.
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time (12:34 UTC), with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó Department, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) west of Bogotá. The quake occurred at an estimated depth of 96–110 kilometers (60–69 miles) and was felt across much of Colombia, as well as in Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. A magnitude-5.0 aftershock followed about 45 minutes later.
The earthquake was an intermediate-depth strike-slip event associated with the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate, producing intense shaking that reportedly lasted nearly two minutes. No tsunami warning was issued.
The hardest-hit areas include Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Caldas and Chocó, with fatalities reported in Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Quibdó, Buenaventura and surrounding areas.
Buildings and other structures have collapsed or sustained major damage in several cities. In Cali, authorities reported dozens of affected structures, with some people trapped under rubble. A tower of a cathedral in Manizales also collapsed, while homes and other buildings were heavily damaged in smaller communities.
Several airports were damaged or temporarily closed, disrupting flights in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. Damage was also reported at Matecaña International Airport in Pereira.
Emergency teams are conducting search-and-rescue operations, while authorities warn of further aftershocks. Colombia's national disaster-management authorities have activated emergency response mechanisms, with international assistance also being offered. The 74-death toll remains preliminary and could rise as rescue teams reach remote and heavily damaged areas.
