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Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, 520 Injured, Flights Suspended At 7 Airports

Colombia Earthquake

Cover Image Courtesy: X/@VickyDavilaH & X/@pradhyu78651514

On Monday, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, leaving a trail of destruction across the region. According to reports, at least 1,600 buildings have collapsed, and 132 people have been killed so far. Search-and-rescue operations are underway as the country grapples with its strongest recorded earthquake in the past decade.

7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia

According to NDTV, the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia has killed at least 132 people and left more than 520 injured. The quake caused widespread destruction, damaging at least 1,575 homes, 18 health centres and 52 schools, with 21 aftershocks reported in its wake.

President Abelardo De La Espriella has declared a state of emergency in the affected region as rescue and relief efforts continue. The earthquake’s epicentre was recorded in Colombia’s coastal Chocó region at a depth of 100 kilometres. Pereira was among the worst-hit areas, with local authorities earlier reporting at least 40 deaths in Risaralda, the region where the city is located.

The scale of the disaster remains unclear, with one database listing more than 2,000 people as missing, most of them from Cali and Pereira. The number reportedly continues to rise as search-and-rescue teams scour affected areas.

Also Read: Japan Earthquake: 7.1-Magnitude Quake Triggers Tsunami Warning; Injuries Reported

Buildings Crumble, Airports Shut

The powerful earthquake has also disrupted air travel across western Colombia, with several airports temporarily suspending operations amid safety checks and the widespread impact of the tremors.

Colombia’s civil aviation authority, Aerocivil, said airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura and Cali were affected. A subsequent update also confirmed the temporary suspension of operations at Cali’s Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport.

While Bogotá was not among the seven airports initially listed by Aerocivil, flights connecting through the capital could still face delays or disruptions if incoming or onward sectors involve the affected airports, or if aircraft and crew are unable to reach their scheduled destinations.

The devastation caused by the powerful earthquake was captured in several visuals circulating on social media. In Pereira, footage showed a four-storey building collapsing during the tremors, sending clouds of dust and debris into the streets. In Manizales, visuals showed a side tower of the city’s iconic neo-Gothic cathedral giving way, with rubble crashing onto the roads below.

Also Read: Colombian Glacier Ritacuba Blanco Is Melting Away Due To El Nino & Climate Change

Several aftershocks were reported following the main quake, adding to the chaos across the affected regions. We hope that the situation in Colombia improves soon and normalcy is restored.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/@VickyDavilaH & X/@pradhyu78651514

FAQs

How many people have died in the Colombia earthquake?

At least 132 people have been killed in the earthquake so far, while more than 520 others have been injured.

How much damage did the earthquake cause?

Reports indicate that at least 1,575 homes, 18 health centres and 52 schools were damaged. Several buildings also collapsed.

What was the epicentre of the earthquake?

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