A powerful Colombia earthquake has left at least 132 people dead and hundreds more injured, prompting emergency curfews in several western cities as rescue operations continue. Authorities in Cali, Pereira and parts of Caldas moved to restrict movement overnight after widespread structural damage and concerns about looting in the aftermath of the disaster.
The provisional toll stood at 132 dead and 570 injured after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday, according to reported figures from Colombian municipal authorities. The epicentre was near San José del Palmar in Chocó department, close to the borders with Valle del Cauca and Risaralda. The tremor was also felt beyond the immediate impact zone, including in Ecuador and Panama.
What happened in the Colombia earthquake
The Colombia earthquake struck western parts of the country and was followed by aftershocks, worsening damage across several departments. Early reports indicated that Cauca and Risaralda were among the hardest-hit areas, alongside Chocó, Caldas and Quindío. Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, appeared to suffer some of the most visible infrastructure damage.
Seismological data indicated the quake originated at a depth of roughly 103 kilometres within the Nazca tectonic plate, which subducts beneath the South American plate. That geological fault system is known for producing strong earthquakes across the Andean region.
Curfews imposed in Cali, Pereira and Caldas
Local leaders said the restrictions were introduced to protect residents, businesses and rescue efforts. In Cali, the city administration announced a night-time curfew and a reinforced security presence to allow emergency teams to focus on search-and-rescue work.
- Cali: curfew from 20:00 to 06:00
- Pereira: curfew covering central areas and key districts
- Caldas: regional curfew announced by local authorities
Officials said the measures were intended to deter theft and keep roads clearer for emergency vehicles. Rescue crews were still assessing damaged buildings and searching sites where people could be trapped under debris.
Emergency response and travel disruption
The Colombia earthquake also caused major disruption to essential services. Power outages and mobile network problems were reported in the initial hours after the quake, complicating communication and coordination. Several airports in western Colombia suspended operations, affecting travel through Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.
Colombia’s president travelled to affected areas and said the national government would coordinate the emergency response through central command structures. Additional rescue workers and armed forces personnel were deployed to support local authorities, especially in Cali and surrounding zones.
Key immediate impacts
- Hundreds of injuries reported across multiple departments
- Damage to buildings and public infrastructure
- Temporary airport closures in western Colombia
- Electricity and telecommunications outages
- Expanded rescue and security deployments
International support and what happens next
Messages of solidarity and offers of assistance came from several countries, including Mexico and Spain, as regional leaders responded to the scale of the tragedy. With the death toll still provisional, authorities are expected to continue updating casualty figures as emergency teams reach more affected areas and complete building inspections.
This is not a Europe & EU News institutional story, but it is a major international emergency with cross-border attention and diplomatic reaction. For readers following the latest developments, the immediate focus remains on rescue efforts, restoring services and determining the full scale of damage caused by the Colombia earthquake.
As officials continue search operations, the Colombia earthquake is likely to remain a fast-moving story. The clearest takeaway so far is that the disaster has become one of the deadliest recent seismic events in the region, with security restrictions, transport disruption and humanitarian needs expected to shape the response in the days ahead.
