Quake Strikes Colombia
teleSUR said the U.S. government offered Colombia $15.5 million on Monday, while the State Department reported that “the Trump Administration is committing $15.5 million in funds for emergency shelters, food, protection, and earthquake assessments.”
The quake’s epicenter was near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department, and teleSUR reported that “the powerful quake occurred at 07:34 local time”.
NBC News also described the disaster response as search efforts continued after a 7.4-magnitude quake shook western Colombia, killing at least 132 people, injuring at least 700, and leaving many trapped under rubble.
teleSUR reported that De la Espriella announced a national disaster and stressed that the priority would be the “rescue of people trapped under the rubble.”
Toll Diverges, Cities Hit
Casualty figures varied across outlets, with teleSUR reporting 132 dead and 570 injured, while Radio-Canada said the earthquake left at least 111 dead and 87 injured in Colombia’s west.
teleSUR said De la Espriella announced 1,575 homes were damaged, 37 of which were “completely destroyed,” and also reported 61 buildings collapsed and 18 roads affected.
NBC News said the worst-hit cities included Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, Manizales and Armenia, and it reported that the epicenter was in the municipality of San José del Palmar.
teleSUR reported that Pereira had the highest number of fatalities with 60 dead, followed by Cali, Quibdó, Manizales, and Armenia.
Radio-Canada reported that “Several people have no news from their families” among Colombians in B.C., with WhatsApp groups used to try to help.
Aftershocks and Response
NBC News said the nation’s highest-level disaster threat level was in effect, with Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, Manizales and Armenia under “red alert,” and it reported that seven airports suspended operations.
teleSUR reported that the quake was felt in Bogotá, Cali, Popayán, Manizales, Armenia, Pereira, Medellín, and other central and western cities, and that there were perceptibility reports in Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela.
Radio-Canada said the earthquake occurred shortly after dawn at a depth of about one hundred kilometers, and it described the epicenter as near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department.
NBC News also reported that the U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.4 magnitude and that the epicenter was in San José del Palmar, while rescue teams continued reaching damaged communities.