Meteorologist: Colombia's 7.4 magnitude earthquake 'very rare'
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded Monday in western Colombia, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), with tremors felt in several cities across the country.
The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, about 280 kilometers west of Bogotá, at a depth of 107 kilometers at 7:34 a.m. local time (8:34 a.m. ET), the USGS reported.
CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam has the details and CNN correspondent Stefano Pozzebon describes the Colombian city that was hit the hardest. Also, Glaeldys González Calanche from International Crisis Group weighs in on the emergency response efforts.
Video Summary
AI GeneratedA powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, causing severe building collapses and infrastructure damage, particularly in the city of Pereira. While the epicenter was in a sparsely populated jungle area, significant casualties are feared. The Colombian government has declared an emergency to coordinate rescue efforts and restore critical transport links.