At 7:34 a.m. local time (3:34 p.m. Lithuanian time), after underground shocks shook the coastal Chocó region, rescue teams rushed to help the victims and search for survivors under the rubble.
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At least 40 people died in the Risaralda region during an earthquake whose epicenter was 100 kilometers deep in the municipality of San Jose del Palmar.
“The situation is critical,” said Mauricio Salazar, mayor of the provincial capital Pereira, to Caracol Radio.
In the Cauca Valley department, 27 people died, and two more died in the city of Manizales, located in Colombia’s coffee-growing region.
An AFP news agency journalist saw the tower of the beloved cathedral of Manizales residents collapse due to the earthquake.
“Many buildings in the city were damaged,” said 50-year-old administrator Jaime Zuluaga. “Traffic is paralyzed, and people do not want to return to their homes, fearing aftershocks.”
Airports closed
Alejandro Eder, mayor of Cali, the third largest city in Colombia, reported that 20 buildings collapsed and people are trapped under the rubble.
The governor of Chocó province warned of significant damage in the provincial capital Quibdó, where videos show even more buildings turned to rubble. The number of deaths in this poor region is currently unknown.
Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela also felt the early morning earthquake, which led to evacuations of buildings in Bogotá.
AFP journalists saw crowds of people who felt the underground shocks running into the streets, many still wearing pajamas.
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“The earthquake was very, very strong,” said 29-year-old content creator Valeria Polo in the Colombian capital, where only minimal damage was recorded.
The Civil Aviation Agency reported that six small airports in western Colombia suspended operations, and the football federation postponed upcoming matches.
Just a few days ago, newly sworn-in president Abelardo de la Espriella announced he was heading to Bogotá to convene an emergency meeting.
“To Colombians going through difficult times today, I want to say: you are not alone,” he added.
A. de la Espriella has promised to establish close ties with the United States and Israel, and both countries have already expressed support to Bogotá after this disaster.
“Washington is closely monitoring the major earthquake that struck Colombia and is ready to support the Colombian people,” wrote Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the social network X.
Israel, as well as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, offered assistance.
In Venezuela, more than 6,000 people died and huge damage was done to infrastructure during two earthquakes in June, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
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