Colombia earthquake: 69 dead, 7.4 magnitude, aftershocks, emergency

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck Colombia on Monday, killing at least 69 people and sending tremors across the border into Ecuador. The quake, which hit in the afternoon, has left rescue teams scrambling through rubble as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.

Colombian authorities have not yet released a full account of the damage, but early reports indicate collapsed buildings, disrupted roads, and overwhelmed hospitals. In Ecuador, residents reported feeling strong shaking, though no casualties have been officially confirmed there so far.

Rescue efforts underway amid aftershocks

Emergency crews are working through the night, searching for survivors in towns nearest to the epicentre. The death toll, officials warn, could rise as rescue teams reach more isolated communities cut off by landslides and damaged infrastructure.

At least 21 aftershocks have been recorded since the main quake, complicating rescue operations and keeping residents on edge. Many people are sleeping outdoors, fearing further collapses of weakened structures.

Schools and hospitals hit

Early assessments show that schools and hospitals in the affected zone have sustained significant damage. Medical staff have been forced to treat the injured in open areas outside damaged facilities, with supplies running low in some districts.

The Colombian government has declared a state of emergency, mobilising the military to assist in relief and logistics. President has urged calm, promising swift aid to the worst-hit areas.

Regional impact felt in Ecuador

The quake's reach extended into northern Ecuador, where buildings swayed and residents evacuated into the streets. Local authorities there are assessing structural damage, though no major casualties have been reported.

Seismologists are monitoring the fault line closely, noting that aftershocks of this scale are common after a quake of this magnitude. The region sits on a tectonically active zone, making it prone to such events.

Search for missing continues

More than 2,000 people are reported missing, according to local media, though officials have not confirmed this figure. Families have gathered near collapsed sites, waiting for news as rescue dogs and heavy equipment are deployed.

International aid offers have started to pour in, with neighbouring countries pledging support. Colombia's disaster management agency is coordinating the response, prioritising the most inaccessible areas.

The coming days will be critical as crews race against time to find survivors and restore basic services like power and water. Authorities are also warning of the risk of disease outbreaks in temporary shelters if sanitation is not quickly restored.

As the full scale of the disaster becomes clearer, the focus will shift to rebuilding and long-term recovery. For now, the immediate priority remains saving lives and accounting for the missing.