The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located approximately 240 kilometers (149 miles) west of Bogotá, near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at a depth of about 66 miles. The tremors were felt in major cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Bogotá, as well as in neighboring countries Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. While minimal damage was reported in the neighboring nations, the impact within Colombia was severe, particularly in the coffee-growing regions of Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó, and Caldas.
Cali and Pereira have been among the hardest-hit areas. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that the city, with a population of over 2.2 million, recorded at least 95 fatalities. Rescue efforts in the south of the city, particularly near the Clinica Colombia health center, involved hundreds of workers and volunteers digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings. Eder noted that four people were rescued alive on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgency of the ongoing operations. In Pereira, residents reported violent shaking that caused numerous buildings to collapse, with video footage showing structures crumbling into streets and residents fleeing in panic.
The scale of the destruction is documented by United Nations figures, which report that 31,461 homes have been destroyed. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) assessment indicates that 4,996 community centers, 3,483 educational facilities, 348 health facilities, and 112 water supply systems have been affected. Essential services, including electricity, water, and communications, remain disrupted or are operating intermittently in the affected zones. More than 20 municipalities across the country have been impacted, with the Colombian interior minister confirming the widespread nature of the damage.
Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management and the Colombian army’s Third Brigade are leading the search-and-rescue efforts. Military units have deployed canine teams, thermal-capable drones, and specialized equipment to locate survivors buried under debris. President de la Espriella appealed for humanitarian aid and pledged full government support for the recovery, stating, “We aren’t going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination.”
Julio Fierro Morales, director of the Colombian Geological Service, explained that western Colombia lies along a subduction zone where one tectonic plate slides beneath another. This geological feature has historically led to earthquakes of considerable magnitude in the region, including a 7.2 magnitude quake in 1979. Since the main shock, nearly 30 aftershocks have been recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 4.8, posing continued risks to unstable structures and complicating rescue operations.
As of the latest reports, hundreds of people remain missing. Emergency teams continue to work around the clock, with damage assessments ongoing. As authorities reach more affected communities, impact information is expected to be updated. The national emergency status is intended to expedite funding for recovery efforts, and international aid agencies are mobilizing to provide urgent assistance to the displaced population.
