A powerful earthquake has struck Colombia, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The magnitude 7.4 quake, which hit at 07:34 (12:34 GMT) on Monday, has claimed at least 21 lives and left many more feared trapped under collapsed buildings. The epicenter of the quake was near the village of San José del Palmar in Chocó province, on the country's Pacific coast.
This earthquake has had a profound impact on the country, with reports of widespread damage and casualties. The mayor of Pereira, a city in Colombia's coffee-growing region, confirmed at least 18 deaths, while two were reported killed in Manizales and one in Quibdó. The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, expressed concern about potential aftershocks, which could further exacerbate the situation.
The effects of the earthquake were felt far beyond the epicenter. In the capital, Bogotá, trees and traffic lights shook violently, and people streamed out of their homes and offices, reporting the ground moving beneath them for almost two minutes. The city's mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, reported cracks in buildings but assured that infrastructure damage was minimal.
The impact was particularly severe in Cali, where the mayor reported that around 25 buildings had collapsed. The country's aviation authority confirmed damage at several regional airports, including those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura. This earthquake has highlighted the vulnerability of Colombia's infrastructure and the need for robust disaster preparedness and response plans.
The aftermath of the earthquake has been marked by a sense of tragedy and resilience. Videos shared on social media showed the collapsed spire of a church in Manizales, with people shouting to those they feared were trapped underneath. The scene was one of chaos and fear, but also of community spirit and solidarity as people sought to help one another in the face of this natural disaster.
This earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness. It is a call to action for Colombia to strengthen its disaster management systems and ensure that its people are as safe as possible in the face of such events. As the country begins to recover, the focus will be on rebuilding and ensuring that the lessons learned from this tragedy are not forgotten.
