A powerful earthquake has caused widespread damage in Colombia’s Pacific coastal region, killing at least 20 people and injuring many others, according to local officials. Authorities are also concerned about possible aftershocks.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday (12:34 p.m. GMT and 6:34 p.m. Bangladesh time), according to Colombia’s Geological Survey. The quake originated about 96 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), which monitors earthquakes worldwide, estimated the depth at around 110 kilometers. The epicenter was located about 5 kilometers east of the village of San José del Palmar.

Despite its depth, the earthquake was felt hundreds of kilometers away in the capital, Bogotá. People were evacuated from several buildings in the city as a precaution. Journalists at local radio station Caracol reported seeing furniture shake during a live broadcast.

Buildings Collapse in Manizales
The earthquake also caused significant damage in Manizales, a city known as part of Colombia’s coffee-producing region.

A video published by Colombian newspaper El Tiempo showed a building collapsing in the city. People at the scene were seen warning others that someone could be trapped under the rubble.

Another video circulating on social media showed the tower of a church in Manizales collapsing. Deep cracks were also reported in the facade of another building.

Rescue operations have begun to determine whether anyone is trapped inside damaged structures.

Damage Reported at Regional Airports
Several regional airports were also affected by the earthquake.

Colombia’s civil aviation authority reported damage at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.

However, the extent of the damage and its impact on flight operations remained unclear immediately after the earthquake.

Nubia Carolina Córdoba, governor of Chocó province, said several people had been injured, although she did not provide an exact figure. She also warned of the possibility of stronger aftershocks.

The deep origin of the earthquake caused tremors to be felt across a wide area, from coastal regions to Bogotá and several cities in the coffee-growing region.

The full extent of the casualties and damage to buildings, roads, communications infrastructure and other facilities has yet to be determined.

Emergency and rescue agencies have begun operations in affected areas, searching for people who may be trapped under debris and assessing the safety of damaged buildings.

Source: BBC