At least 111 people have been killed, and hundreds remain missing after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, according to the Colombian Geological Service. It was reportedly the strongest earthquake to hit the country this century.
The powerful tremor caused widespread destruction across western Colombia, including Cali, Pereira, Quibdo and Manizales, and was also felt in neighboring Ecuador and Panama. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, about 400 kilometers west of Bogotá, at a depth of 107 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey.
At least 21 aftershocks were recorded within hours of the main quake.
In Cali, search teams and residents joined rescue efforts, digging through collapsed buildings and clearing heavy rubble. Officials said at least 20 buildings had collapsed and another 380 were damaged, leaving many people trapped beneath the debris as emergency crews continued searching for survivors.
