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Developing | Colombia hit by 7.4-magnitude earthquake

Economy World


A major earthquake hit western Colombia on Monday morning, burying people in the South American nation under rubble and causing severe destruction to buildings and infrastructure in the Pacific region and the central Andes.

The magnitude 7.4 tremor struck at 7:34 am local time near the town of San José del Palmar in Choco province, according to the US Geological Survey. There was at least one aftershock, but no tsunami warning.

Neighbouring Ecuador also shook.

At ⁠least 20 buildings collapsed in the southwest Colombian ⁠city of Cali, ‌with people trapped inside, Mayor ‌Alejandro Eder ⁠said.

A man leaves a block of flats after an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia, on Monday. Photo: AP
A man leaves a block of flats after an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia, on Monday. Photo: AP

The city, about 300 km (190 miles) from the capital Bogotá, has over two million inhabitants.