A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia today, shaking the South American nation and neighbouring Ecuador and causing people to evacuate homes and buildings. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
At least 20 buildings collapsed in an earthquake on Monday in the Colombian city of Cali, with people trapped inside, mayor Alejandro Eder said. The city has requested teams from Bogota and Medellin to aid in rescue efforts, he added.
The epicentre was in San Jose Del Palmar, a municipality in the Choco region about 250 miles (400km) west of Colombia's capital, Bogota, the US Geological Survey and Colombia's counterpart reported. The USGS said it struck at a depth of 66 miles (107km).
Choco governor Nubia Córdoba said on social media that in the regional capital, "there are injuries and serious damage to buildings," without providing further details.
The temblor follows two back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela in late June. Those earthquakes destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed more than 5,000 people.
Aftermath of the Earthquake
In Cali, collapsed buildings have complicated rescue efforts, as people may be trapped under the rubble. City authorities have requested assistance from larger cities, and rescue teams from Bogota and Medellin are already on the ground.
Choco governor Nubia Córdoba reported injuries and serious damage to buildings in the regional capital, but exact figures have not yet been released.
Seismological Details
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter was in San Jose Del Palmar, a municipality in the Choco region located a significant distance from the capital. The depth of the quake was 107 kilometers, which is relatively shallow, so the surface impact was strong.
Comparison with Previous Earthquakes
This event follows two major earthquakes in Venezuela in late June. Those earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed more than 5,000 people. This indicates high seismic activity in the region.
Currently, Colombian authorities are assessing the situation in affected areas and conducting rescue operations. Additional information is expected to be released later.