Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Climbs Past 100 as Rescue Efforts Continue Overnight

At least 111 people have died after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, with officials confirming it as the strongest tremor recorded in the country in over a hundred years. The quake, centered near San José del Palmar in Chocó province, hit at a depth of over 100 kilometers, days after the country’s new president was sworn into office. Seismologists noted the quake’s inland location and sideways fault motion likely intensified shaking across populated valleys despite its depth.

Pereira and Cali Among Hardest Hit

The city of Pereira reported the heaviest losses, with 66 confirmed deaths and more than 50 people still trapped under rubble. Authorities said 188 people remained missing nationwide as search efforts continued into the night. In Cali, rescue teams worked by hand and with heavy equipment to free survivors from collapsed buildings, with firefighters reporting successful rescues of both adults and children still trapped hours after the quake.

Government Response and Public Order Concerns

Colombia’s president visited affected areas including Chocó’s capital, promising rent subsidies for displaced residents and pledging continued government support. Curfews were declared in several cities after reports of looting and unrest, prompting the deployment of over 1,000 additional security personnel to Cali. Officials warned that aftershocks remain likely, with more than 20 already recorded since the initial quake.