A magnitude 7.4 earthquake, Colombia’s strongest recorded this century, killed at least 111 people, damaged around 1,600 buildings and left thousands …
1/6A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people. Rescue workers and civilians searched collapsed buildings as more than 2,000 people, mostly in Cali and Pereira, were listed as missing on a digital database. (Image: AP)
2/6Strongest quake recorded this century: Colombia’s Geological Service described it as the country’s strongest earthquake of the 21st century. The quake damaged cities across western Colombia, including Cali, Pereira, Quibdo and Manizales, and was felt in Ecuador and Panama. Several aftershocks followed. (Image: AP)
3/6President declares emergency: Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 87 people were injured and around 1,600 buildings were damaged, including 61 that completely collapsed. He declared an emergency to expedite recovery funding. “We aren’t going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination,” he said. (Image: AP)
4/6Cities left devastated: In Cali, 380 buildings were damaged and people remained trapped under debris. At least 15 buildings collapsed in Pereira, while a tower of Manizales’ neo-Gothic cathedral fell onto its nave. Flights were suspended at six regional airports while authorities assessed the damage. (Image: AP)
5/6Relief assistance: The US promised $15.5 million in aid for emergency shelter, food and other relief efforts. El Salvador, Mexico and Chile also offered rescue teams, medical personnel, supplies and other assistance to Colombia. (Image: AP)
6/6Tremors above magnitude 6.0 are rare. However, smaller earthquakes are common in central and western Colombia, which lies along the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire”. In 1999, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Armenia killed more than 1,100 people. (Image: AP)