Colombia death toll rises to 47 after 7.4-magnitude earthquake
The United States Geological Survey recorded the tremor at a depth of 107km, correcting initial reports from local authorities as rescue operations continue in the Choco region.
At least 47 people have been killed and dozens of buildings have collapsed across cities in western Colombia following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday. The disaster has triggered widespread structural damage in the region, with the death toll rising from earlier estimates that placed the fatalities at around 20.
The epicentre of the tremor was located near the municipality of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, approximately 400km west of the capital, Bogota. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the event at a depth of 107km, a figure that revised initial reports issued by Colombia’s geological service regarding the depth of the seismic activity.
The scale of the destruction has been significant, with dozens of buildings collapsing in cities throughout western Colombia. The USGS data provides the most current technical assessment of the event, superseding earlier local metrics that were subsequently updated as more precise measurements became available.
Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas, and the final casualty figures remain subject to change as emergency services continue their work. The initial reports from Colombia’s geological service were superseded by the USGS analysis, which confirmed the magnitude and depth of the quake that struck the South American nation on Monday.
The event has drawn international attention to the seismic risks facing the Choco region. As the situation develops, authorities are likely to face challenges in assessing the full extent of the infrastructure damage and coordinating relief efforts across the impacted cities.
