“To the Colombians who are today facing hard times, I want to say: you are not alone,” Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella shared on social media
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NEED TO KNOW
- At least 82 people have died after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia
- Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella said on social media that he “will do whatever is necessary to protect” the people of his country after the natural disaster
- The mayor of Cali, the country’s third largest city, said that at least 20 buildings had collapsed with people trapped inside
At least 82 people have died after an earthquake struck western Colombia.
On Monday, Aug. 10, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the South American country around 7:34 a.m. local time, causing the collapse of dozens of buildings in its third largest city, Cali, and surrounding areas, according to Reuters, CNN and The New York Times.
Local officials confirmed to The Associated Press that at least 40 people were killed in the Risaralda region, which includes the city of Pereira. They also said at least 27 people — including three children — were killed in the Valle del Cauca region, where Cali is located.
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While the epicenter of the quake was located in San Jose del Palmar, approximately 174 miles west of Bogotá, the powerful earthquake was felt in nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals, after which it triggered mass evacuations, according to Reuters. It was also felt in neighboring Ecuador and Panama.
Alejandro Eder, the mayor of Cali, said that at least 20 buildings had collapsed in the urban city with people trapped inside.
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“We are already managing this emergency alongside all of Cali’s rescue agencies,” he shared on X.
He added, “I ask the public to remain calm. Please check your buildings for any visible structural damage. If you do not feel safe, or if you see large cracks, please evacuate the building.”
Following the disaster, Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, who took office only three days prior to the earthquake, announced that he was traveling to Bogotá “to focus on addressing the emergency that our country faces.”
“I have convened a United Command Post at the UNGRD from where I will personally lead the actions to assist communities in Choco, Eje Cafetero, and all affected areas,” he wrote on X. “To the Colombians who are today facing hard times, I want to say: you are not alone. You have a President who hurts for his people and who will do whatever is necessary to protect them, stand by them, and get through, together, all the affected regions.”
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In videos shared to social media, travelers at the Matecaña International Airport in Pereira could be seen running and seeking cover as debris violently fell from the building around them.
Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended flights at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura while inspectors checked for structural damage, Reuters reported.
While the quake was felt in Bogotá, Colombia’s capital was largely left unharmed with no serious structural damage.
“Bogotá is ready to help the cities most affected by the earthquake,” Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán wrote on X. “100 rescuers are ready to go to CATAM (Military Transportation Air Command) and go to the cities that the National Government prioritizes.”
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