Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 132 as Rescue Efforts Continue

At least 132 people have died, and more than 570 others were injured after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, causing widespread damage and leaving several people feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck at about 7:34 a.m. local time, with the Colombian Geological Service reporting that the tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 103 kilometres.

The earthquake was centred near San José del Palmar in Chocó Province but was felt across a wide area of western Colombia.

Some of the worst damage was reported in Pereira, a major city in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, where authorities recorded dozens of deaths and extensive structural damage.

Authorities in Pereira said 65 buildings collapsed in the metropolitan area, while rescue teams continued efforts to reach people believed to be trapped in at least 15 structures. Emergency teams have been deployed to search damaged buildings and assist residents affected by the disaster.

Images from Pereira showed debris scattered across Plaza Bolívar, where a building was reported to have collapsed following the earthquake.

The surrounding Valle del Cauca region was also heavily affected. In Cali, located about 160 kilometres south of Pereira, authorities reported damage to 32 buildings.

Other deaths and injuries were reported in several cities and areas, including Manizales, Quibdó and Medellín, as well as communities across Chocó and Valle del Cauca.

Authorities have imposed restrictions in parts of Pereira as rescue and recovery operations continue. The measures are intended to support emergency response efforts and protect residents in areas where buildings and other infrastructure have been damaged.

The earthquake damaged roads connecting San José del Palmar to surrounding areas, but the local mayor said there were no reported deaths or injuries in the community.

Emergency agencies are continuing to assess the extent of the destruction, while search and rescue teams remain focused on areas where people may still be trapped.

The Colombian government declared a state of emergency to support rescue efforts and coordinate the response to the disaster.

With the number of casualties expected to change as rescue teams reach more affected locations, officials have urged residents in damaged areas to follow safety instructions and avoid entering unstable buildings.