A powerful earthquake, initially measured at magnitude 7.4, struck western Colombia early Monday morning, killing at least 18 people and causing widespread damage. The tremors were also felt in neighboring Ecuador, as well as in Panama and Venezuela.

Officials confirmed that at least 18 people died in the city of Pereira, the capital of Risaralda department. Mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol Radio that "the situation is critical," as rescue teams worked to free residents trapped under collapsed buildings.

In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder reported that at least 20 buildings had collapsed, with people trapped inside. He posted a video statement on Instagram, saying, "Residents of Cali, we currently have at least 20 collapsed structures in the city with people trapped inside; we are already managing this emergency alongside all of Cali's rescue agencies. I have requested support — specifically rescue personnel — from the mayors of Bogota and Medellin."

The governor of Choco province, Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi, was among the first to report the "severe seismic event" in the east of her state. She noted that although the epicenter was in San Jose del Palmar, the capital Quibdo also suffered injuries and severe building damage. Quibdo is home to approximately 150,000 people.

Colombia's civil aviation authority reported damage at six minor airports, including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura. Flights were suspended for safety reasons while structural assessments are conducted.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the quake at magnitude 7.4, and Colombia's national authority later revised its reading to match. The epicenter was located just south of the Tatama National Nature Reserve, near Choco's eastern border, roughly equidistant from Bogota, Medellin, and Cali.

The quake was relatively deep, striking about 107 kilometers below the ground, which likely contributed to the wide area of shaking. The USGS estimated that most of western Colombia would have felt the tremors. A significant aftershock of magnitude 5.0 was recorded less than an hour after the main event.

Colombia's Pacific coast lies along the Ring of Fire, the world's most active belt of tectonic plates and volcanoes. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage across the affected regions.

Source: www.dw.com