Colombia Earthquake: Buildings Collapse, Deaths and Trapped Victims Under Rubble; Authorities Deny Tsunami Threat

The earthquake that struck Colombia has caused the collapse of at least 20 buildings in Cali, the country’s third-largest city, and left many people trapped under the rubble.

The city’s mayor, Alejandro Eder, posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account: “We have so far recorded the collapse of at least 20 buildings in Cali, with people trapped under the debris. I have requested support from the mayors of Bogotá and Medellín,” including the dispatch of rescue and relief teams.

Meanwhile, Mauricio Salazar, mayor of Pereira, reported that at least 18 people had been killed in the city in western Colombia. Salazar warned in a radio broadcast that the situation was “critical” following the earthquake.

The strong earthquake that hit Colombia and other Latin American countries caused buildings to shake in the capital, Bogotá, and in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

The Colombian Geological Survey estimated the magnitude of the earthquake, which occurred at a depth of approximately 100 kilometers, at 6.6 on the Richter scale, while the United States Geological Survey stated its intensity was 7.4.

The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region of western Colombia.

The Colombian Maritime Authority confirmed that there was no risk of a tsunami.

Governor of Chocó province, Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Corry, who described the area as the “epicenter,” reported injuries and severe structural damage, while assessment operations were still ongoing.

She posted on X: “A strong earthquake has just struck Chocó province, and we are concerned about aftershocks.”

She added, “Although the epicenter was in San José del Palmar, the provincial capital, Quibdó, experienced injuries and severe building damage,” confirming that damage assessments were continuing to issue the first official report on the earthquake.