A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook western Colombia this Monday, causing the death of at least 47 people, leaving residents trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings and forcing the population to evacuate their homes even in the capital, Bogotá.
A total of seven airports in Colombia have suspended their activity. This was reported by Aeronáutica Civil, responsible for the control and regulation of civil aviation in the country, highlighting that Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón are the affected aerodromes.
The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, a town of about 4,800 inhabitants in the Chocó region, about 400 kilometers west of Bogotá, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and its Colombian counterpart.
The Spanish Consulate in Bogotá is monitoring the earthquake and in contact with the consulates in case Spaniards are affected. This earthquake comes after the double quake that occurred in Venezuela a month and a half ago, in which at least 50 Spaniards lost their lives and another 139 remain missing.
A devastating earthquake that, according to the latest figures, caused at least 6,125 deaths and 1,579 missing.
Venezuela offers Colombia the sending of rescuers and humanitarian aid after the earthquake
Venezuela offered Colombia the sending of rescuers and humanitarian aid after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred Monday morning in that country, which caused the death of at least 69 people.
“The Venezuelan Government, through bilateral cooperation mechanisms and civil protection agencies, makes available to the Colombian Government the sending of a group of rescuers and the necessary humanitarian aid within the framework of full respect for its sovereignty and self-determination,” stated an official communiqué from the Venezuelan republic.
Venezuela is still recovering from the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes the country suffered on June 24, which left at least 6,125 dead, more than 16,700 injured, and about 18,000 homeless.
The death toll rises to 69, according to local authorities
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake with epicenter in northwest Colombia left at least 69 dead, several injured, and people trapped in collapsed buildings on Monday, in what was described by the local geological service as the largest magnitude earthquake in the country in the last decade.
The quake occurred at 7:34 local time (12:34 GMT) and had its epicenter in San José del Palmar, a municipality located in the department of Chocó, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). San José del Palmar is a small municipality populated by approximately 4,700 people.
Bolivia expresses its “deep solidarity” with Colombia after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake
The Bolivian Government expressed on Monday its “deep solidarity” with Colombia for the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that has left dozens dead and expressed its willingness to provide support “that can contribute to addressing this emergency.”
“Bolivia deeply regrets the loss of human lives and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and its solidarity with the affected communities,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a communiqué.
The Basque Government locates 3 Basque aid workers safe in Pereira (Colombia)
The Basque Government has located three young women from Euskadi who are working as aid workers in the Colombian town of Pereira safe and sound; they did not suffer the consequences of the earthquake recorded today because they had temporarily moved to Medellín.
According to the Department of Welfare, Youth, and Demographic Challenge, the three women are part of the Basque Youth Cooperation program, sponsored by the regional government, and were carrying out their work in a center of the Passionist Sisters in Pereira (Colombia).
United States offers support to Colombia after the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered on Monday his country’s support to Colombia after the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook much of the country.
The head of U.S. diplomacy said on social media that the administration of President Donald Trump is closely monitoring the situation and “is ready to support” the Colombian people and the government of President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Rubio also urged U.S. citizens in Colombia to register on the State Department website and follow the Embassy in Bogotá’s social media accounts for assistance and official information, reports Efe.
The Bogotá consulate monitors the earthquake and Spaniards who may be affected
The Spanish Consulate in Bogotá is monitoring the earthquake that occurred in Colombia and following the situation, in contact with honorary consulates in the area, in case Spaniards are affected.
This earthquake comes after the double quake that occurred in Venezuela a month and a half ago, in which at least 50 Spaniards lost their lives and another 139 remain missing.
Activity suspended at seven airports due to the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in northwest Colombia
A total of seven airports in Colombia have suspended their activity due to a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale recorded this Monday with an epicenter near the town of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, in the northwest of the country.
This was reported by Aeronáutica Civil, responsible for the control and regulation of civil aviation in the country, highlighting that Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón are the affected aerodromes.
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