Kathmandu— A powerful earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, killing more than 110 people and injuring at least 87 others, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella. The tremors were felt across several major Colombian cities, as well as in neighboring Ecuador and Panama. De la Espriella, who was sworn into office just three days prior, declared a national emergency and pledged immediate support for affected areas, including travel to the city of Pereira to oversee the government’s response. The earthquake's epicenter was located near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department, at a depth of approximately 79 kilometers.

Earthquake Impact and Casualties

President de la Espriella announced that as of Monday afternoon, the confirmed death toll had reached 111 with an additional 87 people injured. The Risaralda department reported at least 40 fatalities, while Manizales in the Caldas department recorded 12 deaths after partial collapse of its historic Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica, including a spire crashing into the dome. Another 27 people were killed across the Valle de Cauca department, according to local officials.

Damage Assessment and Infrastructure

The governor of Choco, Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi, confirmed significant damage in Quibdo, the provincial capital, and warned of potential aftershocks. Footage from Pereira showed widespread destruction with crowds fleeing collapsing buildings covered in dust. Airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura all sustained damage and suspended operations pending structural assessments. Chaotic footage suggests extensive damage at some facilities, including partial collapses.

Seismic Activity and Measurements

Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management initially reported the earthquake's magnitude as 6.6, with an epicenter near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department at a depth of around 79 km. However, other monitoring agencies recorded higher magnitudes; the US Geological Survey estimated it at 7.4, and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center measured it at 7.2.

Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and provide aid to those affected by the earthquake, with ongoing concerns about potential aftershocks.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.