Earthquake in western Colombia kills dozens

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake, which occurred at around 7:30am local time on 10 August, has caused significant damage in western Colombia.

The epicentre of the quake was in San José del Palmar, in the Chocó region.

The earthquake has reportedly left at least 164 people dead as of 11 August – with that figure expected to rise as emergency response efforts continue. At least 480 more people are believed to have been injured.

The Colombian government, led by newly appointed President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on 7 August, has declared a national disaster situation in response to the crisis. This move will allow them to exercise special powers to support rescue and recovery efforts.

Authorities have evacuated buildings in several Colombian cities due to widespread structural damage, including in the regional capital of Quibdó. 

According to a recent BBC News report, 32 buildings in the city of Cali have collapsed. That city is located approximately 200km from the epicentre of the quake.

Major landmarks such as a cathedral in the city of Manizales have also been damaged, while operations at six airports across Colombia – in  Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura – have suspended operations, leaving travellers stranded.

While most of Chocó is unpopular with tourists, there are exceptions – such as the city of Quibdó, the whale-watching towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano, and the tourist site of Capurganá.

The disaster comes less than two months after a pair of earthquakes in neighbouring Venezuela killed over 6,100 people.