Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia, Causing Damage and Evacuations

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia with its epicenter in Chocó, causing injuries, severe structural damage in cities like Quibdó and Pereira, and triggering regional evacuations.

Key points

• The earthquake struck at 8:34 a.m. local time on Monday with a depth of about 96 kilometers, according to the Colombian Geological Survey.
• Chocó governor Nubia Córdoba reported injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital of Quibdó.
• Infrastructure damage was also reported in Pereira, including a collapsed section of the Matecaña International Airport roof.
• Tremors were strongly felt across neighboring countries, leading to building and hospital evacuations in Panama and shaking across multiple provinces in Ecuador.

Why it matters

The powerful seismic event highlights regional vulnerability across northwestern South America, prompting multi-city emergency responses and international monitoring.