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Massive Earthquake Rocks Colombia: ‘Significant Casualties’ Expected

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A massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 20 people, collapsing buildings and sending terrified residents fleeing into the streets as rescuers scrambled to reach the hardest-hit areas.

The powerful quake was centered near San José del Palmar in the western department of Chocó, roughly 173 miles west of Bogotá.

The shaking was felt across a wide swath of Colombia, including the capital, where emergency alarms sounded and residents evacuated buildings as a precaution.

The death toll climbed rapidly Monday morning as authorities received reports from devastated communities closer to the epicenter.

At least 18 people were reported dead in Pereira, while additional deaths were confirmed in Manizales. More recent reports placed the nationwide toll at at least 22 as emergency crews continued searching damaged structures.

Authorities warned that the casualty count could rise as rescuers reach collapsed buildings and isolated areas.

In Cali, officials reported widespread structural damage and multiple building collapses, with emergency crews working to determine whether people remained trapped beneath debris.

Chocó officials also reported injuries and severe damage to buildings in the region.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office Friday, convened an emergency committee to coordinate the national response.

Bogotá, which escaped the worst of the destruction, immediately offered emergency personnel and equipment to cities hit harder by the quake.

“Bogotá is ready to help the cities most affected by the earthquake. 100 rescuers are ready to go to CATAM (Military Transportation Air Command) and go to the cities that the National Government prioritizes,” Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán wrote on X.

“No serious structural damage is reported in Bogotá, so our capabilities are at the service of the country,” he continued.

“We stand in solidarity with the affected cities. We will continue to attend to this emergency and help with whatever is necessary,” Galán said.

The earthquake also rattled neighboring Venezuela, where officials began inspecting infrastructure in western border states.

Venezuela is still recovering from powerful earthquakes that struck the country in June.

Táchira Gov. Freddy Bernal said authorities had not initially received reports of major damage or deaths in his state.

“At this moment, Civil Protection is conducting assessments and receiving reports on infrastructure across the state; there are no serious issues so far, and—most importantly—no casualties to report,” Bernal said on X.

“Emergency response agencies have been deployed, and Civil Protection plans are in effect. We urge citizens to remain calm and coordinated,” Bernal added.

The quake disrupted transportation across Colombia as officials temporarily suspended operations at several airports while engineers inspected runways and terminals for damage.

Emergency crews were deployed throughout Pereira, Manizales, Cali, Quibdó and other affected areas as aftershocks remained a concern.

Images from the region showed damaged buildings, debris-covered streets and residents gathering outdoors while authorities assessed whether structures were safe to re-enter.

Monday’s disaster ranks among Colombia’s strongest earthquakes in recent years and struck a country sitting in one of the world’s most seismically active regions.

With rescue operations still underway and reports continuing to arrive from western Colombia, authorities warned that the full scale of the destruction and loss of life remained unclear.

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