A Colombia earthquake kills 169 people after a powerful 7.4-magnitude quake struck the country’s western region on Monday morning. More than 600 people suffered injuries, while rescuers and volunteers searched collapsed buildings for survivors.
The earthquake struck shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time. Strong tremors sent frightened residents into the streets across several Colombian cities.
The deaths occurred mainly in Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo. An association representing Colombian city mayors reported that 165 buildings collapsed.
Colombia Earthquake Kills 169 as Rescue Teams Work Overnight
Pereira suffered some of the worst damage. Power outages plunged parts of the city into darkness on Monday night.
Volunteers searched damaged buildings with basic tools and their bare hands. Rescue teams also formed human chains to remove bricks and concrete from collapsed structures.
We are trying to get everyone out alive,†volunteer rescuer Andres Felipe Mejia said.
Other volunteers said rescuers urgently needed flashlights and protective goggles to continue the search after dark.
The disaster left many families desperate for news about missing relatives.
Major Damage Hits Colombian Cities
The earthquake caused widespread destruction across western Colombia.
In Manizales, the powerful shaking damaged a tower of the city’s well-known neo-Gothic cathedral.
Quibdo also suffered major disruption. Local official Jenny Rivas said public services and communications had almost completely stopped.
Residents described chaotic scenes immediately after the quake. Many people ran from their homes without clothes or belongings.
In Pereira, resident Juan David Gaitan described the city as resembling a “zombie city†after the power failed.
Furniture, concrete walls and electrical cables filled streets in several affected areas.
Earthquake Also Felt in Ecuador and Panama
The earthquake struck at a depth of about 110 kilometers. People felt the tremors across much of Colombia, including the capital, Bogota.
The shaking also reached neighboring Ecuador and Panama.
Experts at the U.S. Geological Survey said movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate likely caused the earthquake.
The strong tremors triggered emergency measures across the country. Hospitals in five cities went on red alert, while authorities imposed a nighttime curfew in Cali.
At least six local airports also suspended operations.
Volunteers Join the Search for Survivors
In Cali, volunteers quickly joined professional rescue teams.
They arrived with picks, basic equipment and other supplies. Many searched through rubble in the hope of finding trapped residents.
Rescuers regularly stopped their work to listen for voices beneath the debris.
Volunteer Nelson Moreno described the situation as chaotic. He said people rushed through the streets while searching for relatives and friends.
The rescue effort continued through the night as authorities assessed damage and searched vulnerable buildings.
International Support Reaches Colombia
Governments and international organizations offered support after the Colombia earthquake kills 169 disaster.
The United States said it was closely monitoring the situation and announced $15.5 million in emergency relief.
Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sadness and prayed for people affected by the disaster.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union had activated Copernicus, its satellite monitoring service, to support rescue operations.
Mexico, Ecuador and France also offered assistance.
Colombian officials now face a difficult recovery effort. Rescue teams continue searching damaged structures while authorities assess the full scale of the destruction.
The death toll could change as rescuers reach more collapsed buildings and investigators confirm reports from affected communities.
