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7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia

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POLITIS TEAM

A deep earthquake centred near the Pacific coast was felt in Bogotá and as far as the Venezuelan border.

UPDATED 21:04

Colombia Earthquake: Death Toll Rises to 20, Rescues Underway

At least 18 people have died in the city of Pereira, in western Colombia, following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country today, according to the city's mayor, in the first official casualty count. Two further deaths were reported in the city of Manizales, mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas said in an interview with Blu Radio, bringing the confirmed toll to at least 20.

Buildings collapsed in Cali

The mayor of Cali, one of Colombia's largest cities, Alejandro Éder, said initial reports indicate at least 20 buildingshave collapsed in the city, with people still trapped inside. He said Cali has requested assistance from disaster response teams in Bogotá and Medellín to reinforce rescue operations.

Epicentre in a sparsely populated coastal region

The earthquake's epicentre was located near San José del Palmar, in Chocó province, a sparsely populated area on Colombia's Pacific coast. Chocó governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba said injuries and significant damage have been reported in the provincial capital, Quibdó, and warned residents of the possibility of aftershocks.

In neighbouring Risaralda province, governor Juan Diego Patiño said Pereira, a major city in Colombia's coffee-growing region, also suffered serious damage to several buildings.

Flight cancellations

Colombia's civil aviation authority announced that flights have been suspended at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura while inspections are carried out for possible structural damage.

The national disaster management agency said it has received reports from nine provinces and from the capitals of all 32 of the country's provinces, where the earthquake was felt, prompting evacuations and initial reports of damage.

Colombia's Geological Service revised the earthquake's magnitude upward to 7.4, and reported it occurred at a depth of 96 kilometres. The US tsunami warning system stated there is no tsunami threat.

Reuters witnesses in Táchira state, on the border with Venezuela, and in the city of Barquisimeto, in west-central Venezuela, reported that the earthquake was also felt there.

Source: Reuters

ORIGINAL ARTICLE 16:45

A powerful earthquake struck Colombia on Monday morning, shaking the capital, Bogotá, and prompting reports of material damage. Videos circulating online showed damage to buildings following the tremor.

Differing magnitude estimates

The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4, with a focal depth of 107 kilometres. It placed the epicentre five kilometres east of San José del Palmar.

Colombia’s Geological Service gave a lower preliminary magnitude of 6.7, saying the epicentre was in Chocó department on the country’s Pacific coast.

Tremor felt across Colombia

Witnesses told Reuters that the earthquake strongly shook Bogotá during the morning hours. The tremor was also felt as far as Colombia’s border with Venezuela.

Initial reports indicated at least some material damage, while videos of the earthquake’s impact circulated widely online.

Source: Reuters.

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