A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday killing at least 47 people and levelling buildings across several major cities in the Andean nation's coffee-growing heartland.
The quake hit at a depth of 107 kilometres with its epicentre near San Jose Del Palmar in the Choco region about 400 kilometres west of Bogotá according to the U.S. Geological Survey and Colombia's geological service. Tremors were felt as far away as Ecuador and Panama though damage in those countries was reported as minimal.
Death toll climbs across four cities
Local authorities confirmed 18 deaths in Pereira two in Manizales and 27 in the Valle de Cauca department where Cali the country's third-largest city is located. Colombia's interior minister said more than 20 municipalities had been affected.
In Pereira mayor Mauricio Salazar told local radio that many people remained trapped under what he described as a massive quantity of collapsed buildings. Videos from the city's airport showed ceiling panels crashing down on travellers taking shelter.
Manizales nestled in the coffee-producing mountains lost one of the towers of its neo-Gothic cathedral which fell onto the nave. Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas confirmed two fatalities and urged residents to remain outdoors fearing aftershocks.
In Cali a city of two million mayor Alejandro Eder said residents were trapped in at least 19 collapsed buildings. Taxi driver Jorge Moncayo 64 described plumes of dust rising across the city as structures gave way. I have never lived through such a powerful earthquake he said.
Aftershocks and regional context
Colombia's Geological Service said the quake was the highest magnitude recorded in the country in the past decade. It was followed by aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 4.8 magnitude. Flights were suspended at airports in Manizales Quibdo Armenia Cartago Buenaventura and Pereira.
The disaster comes weeks after two powerful earthquakes devastated neighbouring Venezuela in late June killing more than 5000 people and destroying hundreds of buildings. Venezuelan families were still searching ruins for loved ones when Monday's quake struck Colombia.
President Abelardo de la Espriella who was recently inaugurated said he had personally taken charge of the emergency response in San Jose del Palmar. You are not alone he said. The state is present and taking action.
Small tremors known locally as temblores are common in central and western Colombia but quakes above 6.0 magnitude are rare. The last major event a 6.2 magnitude quake near Armenia in 1999 killed more than 1100 people.
Based on reporting by Global News.