Magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia: dead and wounded

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Colombia, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, at a depth of 115 kilometers. The tremor was felt across much of the country and beyond, reaching into Panama. Authorities are conducting checks to assess the damage and the number of people affected.

According to current information, local media report at least 21 dead, including several children. There are reports of people trapped under the rubble of the Cali university hospital, which has sustained significant damage. Currently, three people are also listed as missing and one person is injured.

The mayor of Cali has confirmed that at least 20 buildings have collapsed in the city, and rescue operations are underway to search for possible survivors. Rescuers are facing challenges accessing some of the hardest-hit areas.

In Chocó, one person has been confirmed dead and ten others injured as a result of the earthquake. In other locations like Quibdó, there have also been reports of injuries and serious structural damage, with debris scattered across the roads.

The new president, De La Espriella, has announced plans to travel to Pereira to assist those affected and provide them with support. The official casualty count may be updated further as authorities continue to gather information.

Various experts state that this is one of the strongest earthquakes Colombia has experienced in recent decades, surpassing the quake of 1979. Rescue operations are in the early stages, and the families of the victims await news of their loved ones.