At least 69 dead after powerful 7.4-magnitude quake hits Colombia; tremors felt in Ecuador, Panama

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread damage and evacuations across the country.

The quake struck at 7:34 am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó province, about 400 km west of Bogotá. The US Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4, with the tremor also felt in neighbouring Ecuador, Panama and parts of Venezuela.

Pereira reported 18 deaths, while two people were killed in Manizales. Significant damage was reported in Cali, Quibdó and other cities, with buildings collapsing and residents trapped under debris. Manizales’ historic cathedral also suffered a partial collapse.

The earthquake triggered panic in Bogotá, where residents rushed out of buildings as the ground shook. Authorities warned of possible aftershocks and launched damage assessments across the affected regions.

Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi said there were injuries and severe damage to buildings in Quibdó, while emergency teams were assessing the situation.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to oversee the recovery operation and coordinate the government’s emergency response.