**Powerful Earthquake Strikes Colombia, Leaving at Least 30 Dead**
A powerful earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 individuals, as reported by local authorities. The tremors were felt across several major cities in Colombia and extended to neighboring countries, including Ecuador and Panama.
The earthquake's epicenter was identified near the town of San Jose del Palmar in the Pacific department of Choco, with a depth of approximately 79 kilometers. The magnitude of the quake has been reported variably; Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management recorded it at 6.6, while the US Geological Survey assessed it at 7.4, and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported it as 7.2.
Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi of Choco confirmed that the earthquake caused extensive damage in the provincial capital, Quibdo, and surrounding areas. She warned residents about the possibility of aftershocks and stated, “There are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo. We are already carrying out a damage assessment and will issue the first official report shortly,” in a message shared on social media platform X.
In the city of Pereira, the capital of the neighboring Risaralda department, footage circulating online depicted significant destruction. Crowds of residents were seen fleeing into the streets, enveloped in dust from collapsing structures. Local authorities reported that at least 18 fatalities occurred in Pereira due to the earthquake.
Manizales, located in the Caldas department, also experienced severe impacts from the quake. Reports indicated that the historic Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica partially collapsed, with one of its spires crashing into the dome. The mayor of Manizales confirmed that at least 12 individuals lost their lives in the city.
This earthquake comes just over a month after a series of devastating quakes struck neighboring Venezuela, where two consecutive earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude led to the destruction of hundreds of buildings and resulted in over 5,000 deaths.
As rescue and recovery efforts begin in Colombia, authorities are focusing on assessing the extent of the damage and providing aid to affected areas. The situation remains fluid as more information becomes available regarding casualties and structural impacts across the region.