A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has killed at least 111 people in western Colombia, according to newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella, in what’s become the first major crisis of his presidency.
The quake struck Monday morning, with its epicentre in San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, roughly 400 kilometres west of Bogotá. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at a depth of about 107 kilometres.
Buildings collapsed across several cities, including Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, and Pereira, where the mayor said at least 18 people died and many more remained trapped. President de la Espriella declared a national emergency and said he has personally taken charge of the government’s response, adding — quote — “We aren’t going to leave people alone.”
The quake was also felt in Ecuador, interrupting the country’s independence day holiday, and lightly in Panama, though both reported minimal damage. Messages of support poured in from the US, Mexico, Brazil, and the United Nations.
This is the second major earthquake disaster to hit the region in as many months, following two devastating quakes in neighbouring Venezuela in late June that killed more than 5,000 people.
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