A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake tore through western Colombia on Monday morning, killing more than 100 people, collapsing buildings across several cities, and turning the first days of a new presidency into a national emergency.
The earthquake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department, sending strong shaking across western Colombia and into neighboring countries, including Ecuador and Panama. The tremor was felt in major cities such as Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and Manizales, but the heaviest destruction was concentrated in areas closer to the epicenter.
Authorities reported that the death toll climbed as rescue teams reached more affected areas, with at least 111 people killed and dozens injured. More than 1,600 buildings were damaged, including 61 that completely collapsed, leaving communities searching through rubble and waiting for answers about missing relatives.
For President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had taken office only days earlier, the disaster became his first major test of leadership. He declared a national emergency response and coordinated rescue operations as officials attempted to reach the hardest-hit communities.
“Everything Started Moving”: The Morning Colombia Shook
For people living through the earthquake, the first moments were defined by confusion, fear, and the desperate search for somewhere safe to stand.
Residents across western Colombia described buildings shaking violently, furniture falling and people rushing into streets as the ground continued moving beneath them.
In Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, residents gathered outside damaged buildings as emergency crews inspected structures and searched for people trapped inside. Some volunteers joined rescue efforts, helping remove debris while officials assessed the damage.
One survivor, Álvaro López, described watching his building suffer severe damage while a neighboring structure collapsed. He remained near the scene with his dog as rescue workers searched through the destruction around him.
Across affected communities, many residents chose to stay outdoors after the earthquake because they feared weakened buildings could collapse during aftershocks.
Pereira, Cali and Chocó Bear the Weight of the Destruction
The earthquake did not affect every region equally. Some cities became the center of Colombia’s rescue operation as officials counted casualties and searched damaged buildings.
The city of Pereira, in Risaralda department, was among the hardest-hit areas. Reports indicated dozens of deaths there, along with widespread structural damage and collapsed buildings. Rescue workers searched damaged areas while hospitals treated injured residents.
In Valle del Cauca, where Cali is located, authorities reported major destruction, including collapsed buildings and residents trapped inside damaged structures. Early assessments indicated that Cali alone had around 20 collapsed buildings.
The earthquake also hit Chocó, where the epicenter was located. The region’s remote geography made rescue operations more difficult because some communities were harder to reach after roads and communication systems were affected.
A Historic Landmark Falls in Manizales
Among the images that showed the scale of the earthquake’s power was the damage to one of Colombia’s most recognizable religious landmarks.
In Manizales, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary suffered major damage when its spire collapsed. The church, known for its towering structure, became one of the most visible symbols of the destruction left behind.
The damage was not limited to historic buildings. Homes, schools, health facilities, and transportation infrastructure were also affected as engineers began checking whether structures remained safe.
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A New President Faces His First National Crisis
The earthquake arrived at the worst possible moment for Colombia’s new government, placing President Abelardo de la Espriella in charge of a national emergency only days after taking office.
De la Espriella announced a coordinated government response, directing emergency agencies and local authorities to focus on rescue operations, medical assistance and support for families who lost homes or loved ones.
The president’s government established emergency coordination efforts as officials worked to determine the full scale of the disaster.
The challenge was greatest in rural areas around Chocó, where difficult terrain slowed access for emergency teams. In some locations, rescuers faced damaged roads and limited communication while trying to reach affected residents.
International assistance was also offered, including support from countries such as the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador and others as Colombia began the recovery process.
The Search for Survivors Continues
The earthquake lasted only minutes, but for families waiting for news, the uncertainty continued long after the shaking stopped.
Emergency workers, firefighters, and volunteers moved through damaged neighborhoods searching collapsed structures and helping people who had lost homes or family members.
Authorities continued updating casualty figures as teams reached more areas, especially communities near the epicenter where access was more difficult.
The damage assessment also revealed the scale of the rebuilding challenge ahead. Thousands of residents faced damaged homes, disrupted services, and questions about whether they could safely return.
A Disaster Colombia Will Be Measuring for Months
The earthquake exposed not just the power of nature, but also the challenges of protecting communities in regions where geography and infrastructure can determine how quickly help arrives.
The disaster was driven by forces that have been building beneath Colombia for millions of years. The country sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active earthquake zones on Earth, where several tectonic plates continue to interact beneath the surface.
Colombia’s location places it between the Nazca Plate, which lies beneath the Pacific Ocean, and the South American Plate. The Nazca Plate is slowly forcing its way beneath the South American Plate in a process known as subduction. Over time, this movement creates enormous pressure along faults deep underground. When that pressure is suddenly released, the energy travels through the Earth as seismic waves, producing an earthquake.
For survivors, however, the science behind the earthquake mattered less than what happened in those first moments: homes damaged, families separated, buildings collapsing and communities forced to wait for help. As Colombia moves from rescue operations into recovery, officials will continue assessing the damage while thousands of residents begin the difficult process and cost of rebuilding.
The earthquake serves as another reminder that Colombia’s greatest challenge is not just the possibility of powerful earthquakes, but also preparing communities to withstand them when the ground suddenly moves.
After seeing how quickly an earthquake can change thousands of lives, how do you think communities can be truly prepared for a disaster of this scale?
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