Colombia rocked by its biggest earthquake this century

Just weeks after two back-to-back catastrophic earthquakes ripped through parts of Venezuela, neighbouring Colombia has suffered a similar fate. A major magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country early on Monday, followed by several strong tremors that killed over 200 people. More than 3,000 others are still reported missing in the widespread damage that has devastated San José del Palmar, in Colombia›s northern province of Choco. Many other cities, towns, and villages have been affected, with buildings and national infrastructure destroyed. The earthquake was also felt as far away as Panama and Ecuador. Most of the fatalities in Monday›s Colombia earthquake happened in the city of Cali, southwest of the country’s capital, Bogota.

Rescue and recovery work is ongoing, with many of the missing still unaccounted for, and initial damage estimated to run in the billions of dollars.

Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just over a week ago, has declared a national emergency, calling for funding and support. He said, “The national government is maintaining all its capacities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities, and deliver aid to every area that needs it.”

Venezuela and other neighbouring South American countries have rushed to Colombia’s assistance. The United States has made an initial pledge of US$15 million for emergency shelter, food and other support.

The United Nations is providing rescue expertise along with food and other essential supplies.

Geologists have ruled out any direct link between the Colombia and Venezuela earthquakes, saying the two events involved different tectonic plates despite both occurring in seismically active zones.

Colombia’s National Seismological Network reported that the Colombia earthquake involved what are known as the Nazca Plate and the South American tectonic plates. In contrast, the earthquake that occurred in Venezuela on June 24 was triggered by interaction between the Caribbean Plate and the South American Plate.

Colombia’s Geological Service said Monday’s earthquake was the country’s strongest recorded this century.