Terrifying scenes have emerged from Colombia after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the western part of the country on Monday, sending people running for safety as buildings shook violently.
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Videos circulating online showed frightened residents rushing away from buildings as the ground trembled, with some structures visibly affected by the powerful shaking.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department, at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres.
The tremor struck at about 7:34 a.m. local time, and its effects were felt across several parts of the country.
The earthquake caused significant damage in parts of western Colombia, with officials reporting collapsed buildings, injuries and people trapped beneath debris.
In the regional capital Quibdó, authorities reported injuries and severe structural damage as emergency teams began assessing the situation.
The situation remained fluid as rescue workers searched damaged buildings for survivors.
Later reports indicated that the death toll had risen sharply, with at least 111 people reported killed and 87 injured, while hundreds of buildings were damaged across affected areas. Rescue operations were continuing as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the destruction.
The earthquake was also felt in other Colombian cities, including Cali, Pereira and Manizales, as well as parts of neighbouring countries.
Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi warned residents about the possibility of further seismic activity as emergency authorities assessed the damage.
In a statement shared on X, she said:
“We have just experienced a severe seismic event in the department of Chocó. We are concerned about aftershocks.
“Although the epicenter was in San José del Palmar, in the capital Quibdó there are injuries and severe damage to buildings. We are already conducting the damage assessment to issue the first official report.”
Authorities continued to urge caution as emergency personnel assessed buildings and worked to reach people who may have been trapped.
The disaster comes less than two months after a major earthquake sequence struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded two powerful earthquakes in northern Venezuela that day, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, with the events causing significant ground movement and damage in the region.
The latest disaster has once again placed parts of northern South America under intense focus as emergency crews in Colombia continue their search-and-rescue operations.
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