Devastating Quake in Colombia Kills 111, Topples Buildings, Traps Victims

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 shook Colombia's coastal Choco province at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, killing at least 111 people and trapping an unknown number of people underneath rubble.

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According to the geological service, the quake struck at a depth of 79 km, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar.

Shortly after the initial tremor, the geological service reported an additional magnitude 4.8 seismic incident in the same region.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said preliminary reports indicated 111 dead and 87 injured, along with dozens of collapsed buildings and damaged homes.

Videos posted on social media showed parts of Manizales city’s Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica, the tallest cathedral in Colombia, crumbling after the tremor.