Kathmandu— A major 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 111 individuals and injuring another 87, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella. The quake, which hit around 7:34 am local time with an epicenter near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco area approximately 280 kilometers west of Bogota, caused significant damage across the country, including the collapse of over 60 buildings and impacting infrastructure such as health centers and schools. The department of Risaralda has been identified as the hardest-hit region, with emergency response efforts underway to aid affected communities.

Widespread Damage Reported

President de la Espriella reported that 1,577 residential buildings sustained damage, while a further 37 were completely destroyed. In addition to homes, the earthquake also caused damage to 18 health centers and 52 schools throughout Colombia. Risaralda Governor Juan Diego Patino indicated his department bore the brunt of the disaster, speaking to radio station BluRadio about the extent of the devastation.

The city of Pereira, with a population of around 500,000 people, is located less than 64 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter and experienced significant tremors.

Emergency Response Underway

Following the quake, President de la Espriella convened an emergency committee to coordinate relief efforts. He pledged that the government “will do whatever is necessary” to support those affected by the disaster and stated he would “personally lead efforts” in the aftermath. The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at a depth of 107 kilometers.

Bogota Mayor Carlos F Galan announced the establishment of six donation collection points, requesting essential supplies such as drinking water, blankets, non-perishable food, hygiene products, and first-aid materials. He also confirmed that 100 rescuers from Bogota are prepared to travel to the most affected cities to assist with search and rescue operations, stating, "We are ready to continue helping so that the response is as swift as possible. We are all in this together."

Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate relief efforts across the impacted regions, with concerns remaining about potential aftershocks.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.