Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia

Bogotá: (News Desk) – A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, causing widespread destruction and claiming dozens of lives. The strong tremors were also felt in neighboring Ecuador, prompting residents to leave their homes and move to safer open areas.

Several cities reported significant damage following the earthquake. In Cali, authorities said a number of buildings collapsed, with concerns that people could be trapped beneath the debris. Emergency teams have been mobilized to search damaged structures and assist those affected.

Rescue personnel from Bogotá and Medellín have been deployed to support operations in the worst-hit areas. Officials are working to locate survivors, clear collapsed structures and determine the full scale of the damage.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was centered near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó region, around 400 kilometers west of Bogotá. The powerful shaking was felt across a wide area, including parts of Ecuador.

Emergency authorities continue to assess casualties and structural damage as search-and-rescue operations remain underway. Officials are also monitoring the region for possible aftershocks as efforts to reach affected communities continue.