Colombia in Ruins: Powerful 7.4 Earthquake Leaves Dozens Dead as Rescuers Dig Through the Darkness

A devastating magnitude-7.4 earthquake tore through western Colombia on Monday, reducing buildings to rubble, killing at least 77 people and leaving families waiting desperately for news of loved ones still trapped beneath the wreckage.

The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers. Its force was felt across much of Colombia and in neighboring countries, sending terrified residents rushing into the streets as walls cracked and structures collapsed around them.

Some of the worst destruction was reported in Pereira, Cali, Manizales and Buenaventura. In Cali alone, more than two dozen structures reportedly collapsed. Rescue crews have been searching unstable piles of concrete and twisted metal, knowing that every passing hour could diminish the chances of finding survivors.

At least two people—an elderly woman and a young girl—were pulled alive from the rubble in Cali. Others remain missing or trapped, and emergency teams from Bogotá and Medellín have been asked to reinforce the overwhelmed local response.

Risaralda province has reported the greatest loss of life so far. The destruction has also damaged hospitals, homes, airports and historic landmarks. Several regional airports suspended operations while engineers inspected runways and terminals, further complicating the movement of emergency personnel and supplies.

Aftershocks have added to the fear. Residents have been warned to avoid visibly damaged buildings, as weakened structures could collapse without warning. Although officials issued no tsunami warning, the threat of further tremors continues to hang over affected communities.

The earthquake is reportedly the strongest recorded in Colombia in a decade. It has thrust the country’s newly inaugurated government into an immediate national crisis as authorities attempt to assess damage across a wide and difficult-to-reach region.

For survivors, the disaster is far from over. Thousands face an uncertain night without secure shelter, while exhausted rescue workers continue digging through the ruins.

The confirmed death toll remains provisional—and officials fear the full scale of the tragedy may not yet be known.