At least 22 dead after major earthquake hits Colombia
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, resulting in at least 111 deaths and significant infrastructure damage. The government has declared a national emergency as rescue operations continue in affected provinces.
Why it matters
This is a major humanitarian crisis requiring immediate international attention and disaster relief efforts in the region.
The Colombian government has declared a national emergency after at least 111 people were killed when a powerful earthquake struck the west of the country, knocking down buildings across several cities and leaving others trapped in the rubble.
The earthquake struck just days after Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in as president, thrusting the new administration into its first major crisis, with memories still fresh of devastating twin earthquakes in neighboring Venezuela in June.
Mr De La Espriella said 87 people have been injured and 61 buildings have collapsed. He said rescuing victims is a "priority".
The 7.4 magnitude quake, according to the US Geological Survey, struck at a depth of 107km near San Jose del Palmar, in Choco, a sparsely populated province on Colombia's Pacific Coast, but was felt in major cities nationwide.
"Significant casualties and damage are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread," the agency warned.
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