Photos: 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks western Colombia

What the report says

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread destruction across several cities and leaving at least 47 people dead, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on news agency coverage. The quake trapped residents under debris, injured many others and prompted evacuations and flight from homes, including in the capital, Bogota.

The reported epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Choco region, about 400km west of Bogota, and the U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor occurred at a depth of 107km. The impact was felt in nearby Ecuador as well. Cities including Pereira, Quibdo, Cali and Manizales were described as badly damaged, with buildings collapsing and rescue workers searching through rubble amid warnings of possible aftershocks.

The Colombian Geological Service said the event was the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the past decade and noted two smaller aftershocks afterward. As general background, earthquakes are common in parts of Colombia because of the region’s tectonic setting, but stronger quakes are less frequent and can cause severe damage when they strike populated areas.

President Abelardo de la Espriella said he had taken charge of the government response in San Jose del Palmar. The scale of the damage and loss of life makes the quake a major national emergency, with rescue, medical care and damage assessment likely to remain urgent priorities.