At Least 26 Dead in Colombia After Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake

What the report says

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia’s Chocó region on Monday morning, leaving at least 26 people dead and triggering widespread damage, according to Nile Post’s report citing local authorities and the US Geological Survey. The quake hit at 7:34 a.m. local time at a depth of 107 kilometres. Officials said strong shaking was felt across much of Colombia and in parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.

Local authorities reported collapsed buildings, damaged roads and bridges, and people trapped under rubble as rescue crews worked through the affected areas. In Valle del Cauca, Governor Dilian Francisca Toro said three children died in Calima El Darién after a wall fell, while another person died in Zarzal. The mayor of Buenaventura also reported deaths and bridge collapses. In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings had collapsed and requested more rescue teams.

The town closest to the epicentre, San José del Palmar, was described by its mayor as cut off after road damage, though no deaths or injuries were reported there. The report also said Ecuador offered rescue support, Bogotá placed emergency resources on standby, and the United States said it was monitoring the situation. Colombia’s disaster management agency said there was no tsunami threat along the Pacific coast.

The article adds broader context that Colombia is prone to earthquakes because of its location near several tectonic plates, especially along the Pacific subduction zone. Rescue operations and damage assessments were still under way as authorities awaited further updates.