Colombia's Pacific Coast Shaken by Powerful 7.4 Quake; Injuries Reported
A powerful earthquake registering magnitude 7.4 struck Colombia's Pacific coast on Monday morning, causing significant damage and injuring people, according to officials.
Nubia Carolina Córdoba, governor of Chocó province, said that people had been injured but did not specify a number. She also expressed concern about possible aftershocks.
The Colombian Geological Service reported that the quake struck at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) at a depth of 96 kilometres. The United States Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes globally, placed the depth at 110 kilometres. The epicentre was located 5 kilometres east of the village of San José del Palmar.
The tremor was felt as far away as Bogotá, the capital, several hundred kilometres east of the epicentre. In Bogotá, several buildings were evacuated as a precaution, and journalists broadcasting on the Caracol Radio network described furniture shaking in their studio.
Colombian newspaper El Tiempo shared footage said to be from the city of Manizales in the country's coffee region, showing a collapsed building and people shouting to those who might be trapped underneath. Social media videos also showed the collapsed spire of a church in Manizales, and a nearby building with deep fissures in its façade.
Colombia's aviation authority reported damage at several regional airports, including those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. Local authorities have begun damage assessments and rescue operations, with officials urging residents to stay cautious and follow safety protocols in the event of aftershocks.
The affected area lies in a seismically active zone along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plate movements frequently generate earthquakes. Colombia has experienced significant tremors in the past, and its geological service continuously monitors seismic activity to provide early warnings and guide emergency responses.
The depth of this quake, reported at between 96 and 110 kilometres, is considered moderate. Deeper earthquakes generally cause less surface shaking than shallow ones, but they can still be felt over a wide area. Reports indicate that the shaking was noticeable across several provinces, underlining the event's reach.
Chocó, where the epicentre is located, is one of Colombia's lesser-developed regions, with many communities relying on basic infrastructure. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and officials have not yet provided a complete count of injuries or structural impacts.
Authorities in Bogotá and other affected cities have asked residents to remain calm and check on vulnerable neighbours. Emergency teams are coordinating with local governments to ensure a rapid response, while the national disaster management agency is compiling data on affected areas.
The earthquake comes as reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic events. Colombia's government has invested in building codes and disaster preparedness in recent years, but inspectors will need to evaluate buildings that may have sustained structural damage in more remote towns and villages.
