A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, centered near San José del Palmar in Chocó, the U.S. Geological Survey and Colombia’s agency reported, at a depth of about 66 miles 107 kilometers. The quake shook cities across the west of the country and was felt as far as neighboring Ecuador and the capital Bogotá, prompting widespread evacuations of homes and buildings. At least 20 people were killed, with local officials reporting 18 deaths in Pereira and two in Manizales, and dozens of buildings collapsed or were damaged. Cali mayor Alejandro Eder said residents were trapped in at least 19 collapsed buildings in that city, and footage showed buildings falling in Pereira, Cali and Quibdó. In Manizales one tower of the neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed onto the nave and the mayor urged residents to stay outside in case of aftershocks. Chocó governor Nubia Córdoba reported injuries and serious damage in Quibdó, and President Abelardo de la Espriella said he had personally taken charge of the government response in San José del Palmar. Authorities and rescue workers continued searching rubble amid concerns about aftershocks and further damage assessments.
