7.4 magnitude quake kills 20 in Colombia, damages buildings and airports

The Story in Brief

At least 20 people have died after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday. Eighteen of the deaths occurred in Pereira, where buildings collapsed and people were trapped, Mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol Radio. Two others were killed in Manizales, Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas told Blu Radio. The United States Geological Survey and Colombia's geological service recorded the magnitude at 7.4, with the epicentre near San Jose del Palmar in Choco province at a depth of roughly 96 km. The quake was felt across Bogota and as far away as Ecuador and Venezuela.

In Cali, 20 buildings collapsed and the city's mayor reported major damage. Air operations were suspended at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo and three other cities, Colombia's aviation authority said. Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba reported injuries and significant damage in the provincial capital Quibdo, warning of possible aftershocks. Bogota's mayor said there was no major damage in the capital. No tsunami warning was issued.