A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction across western Colombia, killing at least 132 people and injuring more than 570 others. Chocó, the country’s poorest department, and the Coffee Axis are among the areas facing the most severe impact.
Dozens of structures have collapsed, while thousands of homes and several schools and healthcare facilities have been damaged. Police officers, firefighters, soldiers and local volunteers are continuing search-and-rescue operations as teams sift through debris looking for survivors.
Colombia’s geological authorities have described the earthquake as the strongest seismic event recorded in the country during the 21st century.
1. Chocó Faces A Major Rescue Operation
The earthquake’s epicentre was located close to San José del Palmar in Chocó. The department faces additional challenges because many communities are remote and road connectivity remains limited.
Chocó is also Colombia’s poorest department, with more than two-thirds of its population living in poverty. Difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure and communication disruptions have made it harder for emergency personnel to reach affected communities and deliver assistance.
2. Colombia’s Coffee Region Among The Worst Hit
The earthquake caused extensive damage in Risaralda, one of the key departments in Colombia’s coffee-growing belt.
Pereira has recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 60 deaths reported. Nearby Dosquebradas has also experienced significant destruction.
Emergency crews are inspecting damaged structures, clearing debris and assessing the full extent of the earthquake’s impact across the region.
3. More Than 1,500 Homes Damaged
President Abelardo de la Espriella said 1,577 residential properties had suffered damage following the earthquake.
Of these, 37 houses were completely destroyed. More than 60 buildings have collapsed, while damage has also been reported at 18 healthcare facilities and 52 schools.
Authorities have placed five capital cities under red alert as emergency agencies continue evaluating the situation.
4. Hospitals Damaged As Rescue Teams Search For Survivors
Medical facilities have also been affected, adding pressure to emergency response efforts.
In Cali, part of the University Hospital was damaged, leaving patients trapped inside the facility. Officials said around 30% of the hospital’s infrastructure was affected, including sections housing paediatrics, internal medicine and part of the neonatal unit.
Rescue workers managed to pull at least four people from the rubble, while other patients were moved to safer locations.
5. Rescue Teams Race To Find Those Trapped
Emergency personnel are working against time to locate people who may still be trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Police, firefighters, members of the armed forces and civilian volunteers have been deployed across affected locations.
In one rescue operation in Cali, teams successfully recovered two women and two children alive from a collapsed structure.
The Colombian government has made locating survivors and providing emergency assistance its immediate priority.
6. International Community Offers Assistance
Several countries have offered support as Colombia responds to the disaster.
Ecuador has offered a team of 47 rescuers, along with specially trained search dogs and equipment capable of supporting independent operations for up to seven days.
El Salvador and Mexico have also offered assistance. The United States and the United Nations have indicated that they are prepared to provide additional support if Colombia requests it.
When And Where Did The Colombia Earthquake Strike?
The earthquake occurred at approximately 7:34 am local time on Monday.
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre was located near San José del Palmar in Chocó, at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres.
The powerful tremor has affected communities across western and central Colombia, with authorities continuing to assess damage to homes, hospitals, schools, roads and communication networks.
Colombia Earthquake: Rescue And Relief Efforts Continue
With the death toll already at 132 and more than 570 people injured, emergency agencies remain focused on rescue operations and medical assistance.
The scale of damage, particularly in remote areas of Chocó and parts of the Coffee Axis, is making the response more challenging. Disrupted transport routes and communication systems are adding to the difficulties.
As rescue teams continue searching damaged buildings, authorities are working to determine the full extent of the destruction and coordinate both domestic and international relief efforts.
For now, the priority remains clear: find survivors, treat the injured and deliver emergency assistance to communities hit hardest by the devastating earthquake.