Colombia Earthquake Kills 111 as National Disaster Declared

BOGOTA — Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn into office just days ago, declared a state of national disaster on Monday following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia, leaving at least 111 people dead and triggering widespread destruction across multiple departments. The severe tremor struck at 7:34 a.m. local time with its epicenter centered near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, according to official geological reports. The shockwaves sent panic through urban centers as municipal infrastructure crumbled, thrusting the newly inaugurated administration into its first major national crisis.

Emergency response officials confirmed that in addition to the 111 fatalities recorded across several departments, at least 87 people sustained injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Preliminary damage assessments released by national authorities indicate that over 1,600 homes have been damaged or destroyed by the force of the temblor. Across urban and rural sectors alike, 61 buildings have collapsed entirely, with major structural damage reported in key population centers including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales.

The earthquake triggered widespread service disruptions across critical infrastructure. Public health centers and schools experienced structural compromise, while fallen debris and ground fissures blocked key roadways throughout western Colombia. Aviation authorities were forced to suspend flights at six commercial airports—including facilities in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura—to inspect terminal facilities and runways for safety risks.

Search and rescue operations remain active around the clock, with specialized disaster response units, military personnel, and emergency teams deploying heavy machinery and search dogs to clear debris and reach individuals trapped beneath collapsed structures. Emergency coordination centers continue to monitor secondary aftershocks as humanitarian relief efforts mobilize across the hardest-hit provinces.