How devastating was the 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia?

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday killed more than 130 people, with authorities warning the death toll is expected to rise. The four hardest-hit cities are Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó in the Chocó region. In Pereira alone, at least 55 people were killed and the mayor reported at least 15 buildings where survivors could still be trapped under rubble. In Cali, 40 buildings were destroyed, at least 15 deaths were confirmed, and 37 survivors were pulled from the wreckage on Monday.

The scale of displacement is also significant. In the Chocó region, approximately 1,400 families were estimated to have lost their homes and were made eligible for a presidential rent subsidy. To maintain order in the aftermath, authorities imposed curfews in both Cali and Pereira from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to prevent looting as rescue operations continued through the night.

The disaster came just over a month after a major earthquake killed thousands of people in neighboring Venezuela, making this a particularly brutal stretch for the region. NPR's Up First, hosted by Leila Fadel, reported live on the rescue operations underway, with workers and volunteers digging through rubble in search of survivors. You can follow the full coverage directly on Listenly.