Colombia Hit by 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake, 132 Dead

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 132 people and injuring 570 others. The earthquake, which had its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, was felt strongly across much of Colombia, including the capital city of Bogotá.

The city of Pereira, which is located less than 64 km from the epicenter, was particularly hard hit, with 60 deaths reported. The Colombian Association of Capital Cities, which participated in a disaster response meeting with the president, stated that five capital cities across the country are under a red alert.

According to reports, 86 buildings have collapsed, and operations at seven airports have been suspended. The airports affected include those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura. The damage to infrastructure has been significant, with 1,577 residential buildings damaged and 37 completely destroyed.

The department of Risaralda in western-central Colombia has emerged as the worst-hit area, with the governor, Juan Diego Patino, reporting extensive damage. President Abelardo de la Espriella has convened an emergency committee to address the damage and has pledged that the government will do whatever is necessary to protect those affected.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with teams working to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected. The government has also warned of the possibility of aftershocks, which could further exacerbate the damage.

The international community has been quick to respond to the disaster, with offers of aid and support pouring in. The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at around 7:34 am local time, with an epicenter near San Jose del Palmar in Colombia's Choco area, at a depth of 107 kilometers.

The earthquake has had a significant impact on the country, with many people left without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. The government has promised to do everything in its power to support those affected and to rebuild the damaged areas.

In the aftermath of the quake, the people of Colombia are coming together to support each other and to rebuild their communities. The international community is also playing a crucial role in providing aid and support to those affected.

The earthquake is a devastating reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for natural disasters. The people of Colombia will need all the support they can get in the coming days and weeks as they work to recover from this tragedy.

The situation in Colombia is still developing, and the full extent of the damage is not yet known. However, one thing is clear: the people of Colombia will need all the help they can get to recover from this devastating earthquake.