Climate & Environment
Colombia earthquake kills at least 132 as rescuers search collapsed buildings
The country is under a national emergency after its strongest recorded earthquake since 1979 damaged homes, hospitals and airports across the west.
Executive summary
- The latest: At least 132 people have died and more than 570 have been injured after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, according to the latest preliminary count reported by El País.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
- The response: Colombia declared a national emergency while soldiers, rescue teams and residents searched damaged and collapsed buildings in Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and other communities.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
- By the numbers: Officials reported more than 1,500 homes affected and 61 buildings completely collapsed; Associated Press reporting put the wider number of damaged or collapsed buildings at about 1,600.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
- What remains uncertain: The casualty and missing-person totals remain preliminary as communications failures and active searches complicate the accounting across the hardest-hit areas.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
Rescue teams worked through the night across western Colombia after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake killed at least 132 people and injured more than 570. The latest preliminary count was compiled by Colombia's Association of Capital Cities as the national government coordinated searches across several regions.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency. Soldiers, engineers, search dogs, firefighters and residents were deployed across Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and other cities where people remained trapped beneath debris.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
The president reported more than 1,500 affected homes and 61 buildings that had completely collapsed. Associated Press reporting put the broader total of damaged or collapsed buildings at about 1,600, while hospitals, schools, airports and utility systems also sustained damage.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
Pereira and Cali were among the hardest-hit population centers. Local officials imposed overnight curfews to keep roads open for emergency crews and to deter looting while searches continued.El País live coverage
The United States announced $15.5 million for emergency shelter, food and other aid, joining assistance offers from governments across Latin America.Associated Press follow-upEl País live coverage
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time Monday near San José del Palmar in Chocó. It was felt across much of Colombia and in neighboring Ecuador and Panama.Associated Press initial reportEl País maps and analysis
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.4 and roughly 110 kilometers beneath the surface. El País reported that it was Colombia's strongest recorded earthquake since 1979; Colombia's Geological Service called it the country's strongest of the 21st century.U.S. Geological SurveyEl País maps and analysisAssociated Press initial report
Chocó's remote terrain and limited road access made early damage assessments difficult. Associated Press reported that 80 percent of El Cairo, a town of about 7,000 people near the epicenter, was damaged.Associated Press follow-up
The death toll rose repeatedly through Monday as local authorities reached damaged communities. The 132-death figure is the latest preliminary national count available early Tuesday and may change as search teams reach additional sites.El País live coverageAssociated Press follow-up
Families also posted thousands of missing-person reports to citizen-run sites, but those submissions may include duplicates and people cut off by communications failures. They are not equivalent to a verified government count.Associated Press follow-upEl País live coverage