Colombia Earthquake Leaves at Least 132 Dead and 570 Injured

A powerful 7.4-magnitude Colombia earthquake has killed at least 132 people and injured 570. Rescuers are searching collapsed buildings for survivors.

Colombia has been hit by one of its strongest earthquakes in years, leaving at least 132 people dead and 570 injured as rescuers continue a desperate search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck parts of the country’s coffee-growing region and Pacific coast shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, causing widespread destruction and panic.

Authorities said at least 1,500 buildings were damaged across several cities. Emergency workers, firefighters and volunteers have been working around the clock, often using their bare hands, buckets and basic tools to clear rubble and reach people believed to be trapped.

Powerful Earthquake Causes Widespread Destruction

The Colombia Earthquake sent residents rushing into the streets as buildings shook violently. The impact was felt across a large part of Colombia, including the capital, Bogotá, where frightened residents reportedly fled their homes in their pajamas.

In Quibdó, law student Wilmer Cuesta described scenes of extreme panic following the earthquake.

“People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes,” Cuesta told AFP, describing the violent tremors that struck the city.

The Colombia Earthquake was centered at a depth of approximately 110 kilometers. According to experts at the US Geological Survey, the seismic event was likely linked to movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate.

The powerful tremor was also felt in neighboring Ecuador and Panama, highlighting the scale of the earthquake across the region.

Rescuers Race Against Time

As the death toll continues to rise, rescue teams have been searching damaged and collapsed buildings for signs of life. In Cali, residents quickly organized volunteer rescue groups and joined firefighters in removing debris with picks, simple equipment and their hands.

Andres Felipe Mejia, who joined one of the makeshift rescue crews, said rescuers were determined to find survivors.

“We are trying to get everyone out alive,” Mejia told AFP.

During one rescue operation, workers asked anyone trapped beneath the rubble to make a sound. A whistle was heard from underneath the debris, prompting rescuers to intensify their efforts.

“They pulled out a man and a baby, but the wife is still in there,” Mejia said while standing near a multi-storey building that had collapsed.

Rescuers formed human chains to move bricks, concrete and other debris away from damaged structures. Teams repeatedly stopped their work to listen carefully for voices, whistles or other indications that people might still be alive beneath the rubble.

Volunteers also brought food, water and other essential supplies while helping firefighters and emergency personnel.

Severe Damage Reported Across Multiple Cities

The earthquake caused extensive structural damage in several Colombian cities. Buildings were left partially collapsed, while furniture, clothing and household materials could be seen trapped between broken walls and concrete floors.

Electrical cables were scattered across roads, adding further hazards for residents and emergency crews.

In Manizales, an AFP journalist reported seeing numerous damaged buildings, including the city’s prominent neo-Gothic cathedral, whose tower was severely damaged by the earthquake.

The scale of destruction has raised concerns that the number of casualties could increase as emergency teams reach areas that remain difficult to access.

Hospitals and Airports Placed on Alert

Colombian authorities immediately increased emergency measures following the disaster. Hospitals in five cities were placed on red alert to deal with the influx of injured residents and prepare for additional casualties.

Authorities also imposed a nighttime curfew in Cali as officials worked to maintain public safety and support emergency operations.

At least six local airports temporarily suspended operations, according to Colombia’s civil aeronautics agency. The disruptions added logistical challenges for rescue teams attempting to move personnel and supplies through affected areas.

Officials warned residents to remain cautious around damaged buildings because structures weakened by the earthquake could collapse without warning.

Residents Turn to Prayer Amid Devastation

In Quibdó, residents gathered in the streets as aftershocks and fears of further destruction kept people away from damaged buildings.

Dentist Julian Pena said he was at home when he experienced the earthquake’s powerful shaking.

“People were praying in the street. It was overwhelming,” Pena told AFP.

He said he ran outside without taking anything with him and found hundreds of people gathered in the streets.

“There are many buildings with gaps, with cracks. There are others that have completely collapsed,” he said.

The scenes reflected the uncertainty faced by communities across the affected region as families waited for information about relatives and friends.

Colombia Declares State of Emergency

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had taken office just three days before the earthquake, declared a state of emergency and promised a coordinated national rescue response.

The government has been working with local authorities, firefighters, medical teams and volunteers to assess the damage and provide emergency assistance.

Authorities continue to search collapsed buildings while assessing infrastructure damage and determining which communities require the most urgent support.

International Community Offers Assistance

The devastating earthquake prompted messages of solidarity from governments and international organizations around the world.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was closely monitoring the situation and was prepared to support the Colombian people.

The United States later announced $15.5 million in emergency relief assistance to help support disaster response and humanitarian operations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced that the European Union had mobilized Copernicus, the bloc’s satellite-based Earth observation service, to assist authorities with rescue and damage-assessment efforts.

International assistance is expected to help Colombian authorities identify heavily damaged areas, coordinate relief operations and locate communities in urgent need of support.

Sports Events Postponed as Nation Responds

The earthquake has also affected Colombia’s sporting calendar. All upcoming professional football matches were postponed as authorities and communities focused on rescue and recovery efforts.

The decision reflects the seriousness of the disaster, with emergency services prioritizing search-and-rescue operations and medical care over scheduled sporting events.

Search for Survivors Continues

With hundreds of people injured and thousands of buildings affected, emergency teams face a race against time to locate anyone still trapped beneath the rubble.

Volunteers and professional rescuers continue working together, relying on specialized equipment where available but also using basic tools and careful manual searches in unstable structures.

For families waiting outside damaged buildings, every sound from beneath the debris offers a potential sign of hope.

As Colombia begins confronting the full scale of the disaster, authorities have warned that the casualty figures could increase as rescue crews gain access to more collapsed and damaged structures.

The immediate priority remains clear: save lives, treat the injured, secure dangerous buildings and deliver emergency assistance to communities affected by the powerful Colombia earthquake.