Colombia Earthquake Kills 111, President Declares Emergency

Deadly quake strikes Pacific coast

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck Colombia's Pacific coast on Monday, killing at least 111 people, according to officials. The tremor, which hit mid-afternoon local time, sent shockwaves across a wide region, including the capital, Bogotá, where buildings swayed and frightened residents poured into the streets.

The epicentre was located off the country's Pacific shore, a seismically active zone. The full scale of the destruction is still emerging, with rescue teams struggling to reach some of the worst-hit areas. Several people have been injured, though official counts remain incomplete.

President declares emergency

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has declared a state of emergency in response to the disaster. The decree will allow the government to fast-track relief funds and mobilise military and civilian resources for search-and-rescue operations. In a brief statement, the President urged calm and assured citizens that all available machinery was being deployed.

The emergency declaration comes as hospitals in affected towns report being overwhelmed. Local media have shown images of collapsed buildings, crushed vehicles, and residents digging through rubble with bare hands. The government has not yet released a district-wise breakdown of casualties.

Capital shaken, rescue efforts under way

The quake was felt strongly in Bogotá, hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre. Office workers and schoolchildren were evacuated as a precaution. Several injuries were reported in the capital, mostly from falls and panic-related incidents. Metro services were briefly suspended for safety checks.

Rescue teams are prioritising coastal towns near the epicentre, where communication lines remain down. The national disaster management agency said it was using helicopters and boats to reach isolated communities. Aftershocks are expected in the coming days, complicating the relief effort.

International concern, local resilience

Neighbouring countries and international agencies have offered assistance. The United Nations has said it is monitoring the situation. Colombia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to such seismic events. A quake of this magnitude has not struck the region in recent years, and the death toll is already among the highest in a decade.

Local authorities have set up temporary shelters for the displaced. Survivors are being advised to avoid damaged structures. The government has warned of the risk of landslides in hilly areas near the coast.

As night falls, the focus remains on finding survivors. The coming hours are critical. Officials have not yet confirmed the final number of missing, but the toll is expected to rise.

What to watch: The government's next official update on casualties and the pace of rescue operations in the most affected coastal districts. International aid pledges may also shape the recovery timeline.