A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, collapsing dozens of buildings and killing at least 20 people.
Colombia’s Geological Service said Monday the quake was “the highest magnitude earthquake registered in Colombia in the last decade,” as reported by The Associated Press.
Many residents were forced to evacuate their homes, with dozens experiencing injuries after being trapped under “a massive quantity of collapsed buildings,” said Pereira Mayor Mauricio Salazar, per AP.
Colombia President Abelardo de la Espriella said Monday via social media post that he has ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post to address damages caused by the earthquakes.
The president also said he will personally be in Pereira, an affected city, to “accompany the affected people and verify the Government’s response.”
“You are not alone,” the president said on social media. “The State is present and acting.”
The quake struck at a depth of 68.54 miles, with an epicenter in San Jose del Palmar. Tremors were felt across multiple cities, including the capital city of Bogotá. The initial tremor was followed by two aftershocks of 2.8 and 4.8 magnitudes.
Small earthquakes, known in the area as “temblores,” are common in Colombia, per AP, but quakes above 6.0 magnitude are rare and often devastating.
Choco Gov. Nubia Córdoba said there are “severe damages to buildings” and she is “concerned about aftershocks.”
The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá said officials are monitoring the earthquake and urged residents to monitor local news outlets to stay informed.
