47 killed in 7.4-magnitude earthquake, collapses buildings in Colombia

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 47 people and collapsing dozens of buildings. The quake trapped residents, prompted evacuations and was felt in Ecuador and Panama, while rescuers assessed damage across the affected region

Bogota (Colombia): At least 47 people were killed and dozens of buildings collapsed in cities across western Colombia on Monday after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the South American nation.

The quake trapped residents under debris, leaving many injured and forcing people to evacuate their homes as far as the capital, Bogota.

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The epicentre was in San Jose del Palmar, a community of about 4,800 people in the Choco region, about 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Bogota, the US Geological Survey and Colombia’s counterpart reported. The USGS said it struck at a depth of 66 miles (107 kilometres). The quake was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, though minimal damage was reported there.

Local officials confirmed that at least 18 people had been killed in the city of Pereira, two in the city of Manizales and 27 people in the Valle del Cauca department, where Colombia’s third-biggest city, Cali, is located.