Massive 7.4-magnitude Colombia earthquake devastation caught on camera as 132 die

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 132 people and injuring around 570 others as rescue teams searched through damaged and collapsed buildings for survivors.

The earthquake, described by Colombia's Geological Service as the country's strongest recorded in the 21st century, was followed by 21 aftershocks. Authorities have warned that further tremors could occur as rescue and recovery operations continue.

Buildings collapse as rescue teams search rubble

According to President Abelardo De La Espriella, at least 1,575 homes, 18 health centres and 52 schools were damaged in the earthquake. At least 61 buildings completely collapsed, prompting the government to declare an emergency to speed up funding for relief and recovery.

"We aren't going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination," he said.

The full extent of the damage remains difficult to assess, particularly in remote areas. Rescue workers and residents continued searching through rubble as authorities feared the death toll could rise.

Baby rescued from rubble in Cali

Videos emerging from affected areas showed the scale of destruction caused by the earthquake.

Footage from Pereira showed a four-storey building reduced to rubble. In Manizales, one of the side towers of the city's landmark neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed, sending debris onto nearby streets.

One of the most striking rescue videos showed people pulling a dust-covered six-month-old baby from beneath rubble in Cali. Caracol Television reported that the infant and her mother were rescued from under a five-storey building.

Another video from Cali showed rescue workers rappelling people out through the windows of a hospital.

Colombia's 'Ring of Fire' location

The earthquake struck in Colombia's Pacific region, close to the epicentre, an area located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a zone known for intense seismic activity.

The Choco region, one of Colombia's poorer areas, is covered by dense jungle, with many locations accessible only by boat or aircraft. This could make it harder for authorities to determine the complete impact of the earthquake.

Northwestern University seismologist Suzan van der Lee told Reuters that the earthquake's magnitude, inland location and strike-slip movement may have contributed to the extensive shaking in populated valleys.

"This one was far below the crust, and in theory it shouldn't cause as much shaking. At this magnitude, it did actually cause a lot of shaking," she said, adding that the interaction of several major tectonic plates makes Colombia particularly difficult for seismologists to study.