More than 20 people lost their lives as a result of the 7.4 on the Richter scale that struck Colombia today, while dozens of people remain trapped under the rubble and rescue operations are underway to free them.

The mayor of the city of Pereira stated that 18 people lost their lives following the earthquake. Shortly before that, the mayor of the neighboring city of Manizales reported that two people were killed there

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The earthquake had a focal depth of 115 km; it was strongly felt and caused damage to buildings, with people fleeing in terror.

Colombia’s geological survey reported that the epicenter was in the province of Chocó, on the Pacific coast. The U.S. Geological Survey emphasized that no tsunami warning had been issued.

The earthquake that struck Colombia occurred today at 7:34 a.m., local time (3:34 p.m. Greek time) and was felt in the capital Bogotá and in Cali, as well as in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.

Citizens search through the rubble for the injured
. Panic ensued as the 7.4-magnitude quake “struck” Colombia. Terrified people rushed out of buildings and tried to get to safety as pieces of concrete and glass rained down onto the streets. Dust covered everything, and a woman —as seen in a video—fell onto the road while trying to get away, while a little further away, other women, hugging each other, watched the events unfolding around them in shock.

In the first videos recorded, citizens rush to the rubble of the buildings to see if there are any injured people and to help.

The dome of the Metropolitan Cathedral also sustained serious damage and appears to have collapsed following the earthquake.

“We’re concerned about aftershocks; there are injuries.” “We just
experienced a powerful earthquake in the department of Chocó. We’re concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San José del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the (provincial) capital, Kimbdo. “We are already assessing the damage and will soon issue the first official report,” said the provincial governor, Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi, in a post on X.

Less than an hour after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the USGS (United States Geological Survey) also reported an aftershock measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake in Colombia follows two consecutive earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale that struck neighboring Venezuela in late June, causing widespread damage and killing more than 5,000 people.

Emergency coordination by the country’s president following the earthquake
The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriela, stated in a social media post that he is leading the emergency response and will travel to the earthquake-stricken area.

“I have immediately taken charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar. I have ordered the establishment of a Joint Operations Center to coordinate the response to the damage and assist those affected. I have requested a detailed report on the situation and the most urgent needs. I will also be in Pereira in person to stand with those affected and ensure the government’s response. You are not alone. The government is here and taking action,” he wrote in his post.

“The images are truly shocking.”
Juan Diego Patino, governor of the neighboring province of Risaralda, told local station Blu Radio that Pereira, the region’s capital, had suffered “serious damage to some buildings,” adding: “What just happened is very serious. The images are truly shocking, with injured people and collapsed building facades.”

Papadopoulos: “Perhaps the impact will be limited due to the depth of the epicenter”
Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos, in a post, referred to the earthquake in Colombia, noting that its impact may be relatively limited due to its focal depth, which is estimated at 115 kilometers.

“A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia. Although the epicenter is on land, the impact may be relatively limited due to the significant depth of the focus (approximately 100 km). We are awaiting further updates,” he wrote.