Pereira bears the brunt of the magnitude 7.4 quake, while a hospital in Cali partially collapses and several airports suspend normal operations
Columbia: At least 132 people were killed and 570 injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, causing widespread damage and disrupting rescue and transport operations.
Pereira emerged as the worst-hit city, reporting 60 deaths. The city, home to around 500,000 people, lies less than 64 km from the earthquake’s epicentre. Tremors were also felt in Bogotá, where residents evacuated buildings and gathered outdoors.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck around 7.34 am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, about 280 km west of Bogotá, at a depth of 107 km.
In Cali, parts of the University Hospital, including three floors housing paediatrics, internal medicine and part of the neonatal unit, collapsed. At least four people were rescued from the rubble, while several patients were evacuated.
The earthquake also disrupted air travel, with airports in Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura restricted mainly to medical and government flights.
US authorities announced $15.5 million in assistance for shelter, food, protection and earthquake assessments. The Colombian Geological Service said 21 aftershocks had been recorded and warned that further tremors were possible.
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