A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 occurred on the Pacific coast of Colombia. According to local authorities, at least 69 people have died, with many injured and significant destruction, writes the BBC.
The earthquake occurred on Monday morning at 07:34 local time. The epicenter was located near the settlement of San José del Palmar at a depth of about 96 kilometers.
Serious consequences were recorded in several cities. In Cali, the country's third most populous city, initially 18 deaths and at least 20 damaged or destroyed buildings were reported. Later, the number of victims increased.
In the city of Quibdó, many houses sustained significant damage, and there are injured people. In Pereira, serious damage to some buildings is also reported. Local authorities note collapsed facades and other structures.
Tremors were felt even in Colombia's capital, Bogotá, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. During the earthquake, traffic lights and trees swayed there, and people ran out of buildings. Several buildings were evacuated. However, according to the mayor, no serious destruction was recorded in the capital.
The earthquake also caused problems in the operation of several airports. Damage is noted in the regional airports of Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, and other cities.
In Manizales, the Catholic cathedral was damaged. Footage of collapsed buildings also appeared, where rescuers are trying to determine if people are trapped under the rubble.
Seismologists warn of the possibility of new tremors, so rescuers and local services continue to work in the affected areas.
The earthquake in Colombia occurred shortly after strong tremors in neighboring Venezuela. There, on June 24, earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 were recorded, followed by about 1500 aftershocks. At that time, more than five thousand people died, over 16 thousand more were injured, and thousands of people were left homeless.
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