A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Colombia on July 10, with its epicenter located in San José del Palmar, in the west of the country, 103 kilometers deep. The earthquake, considered the largest to hit Colombia in the last decade, left a trail of destruction with 254 people dead, 570 injured and around 3,000 missing, according to the authorities’ most recent report.
Scale of destruction and rescue efforts
The tremor caused the collapse or significant damage to 61 buildings and 1,300 homes in several cities, with rescue teams working intensely to locate and extract people trapped under the rubble. The city of Cali was one of the most affected, recording 95 deaths and 949 injuries, in addition to more than 20 buildings that collapsed. Other locations such as Pereira, Manizales, Chocó and Quibdó also account for victims and structural damage.
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The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, declared a national emergency and set up an operations center in Bogotá, in addition to unified command posts in Armenia, Quindío and Cali. The government announced the granting of temporary rental assistance to displaced families while structural assessments and repairs are carried out on affected properties.
International support and demonstrations of solidarity
Given the gravity of the situation, the international community mobilizes support for Colombia. The United States, through the State Department, announced aid of US$15.5 million (approximately R$80 million) to finance emergency shelters and the purchase of essential supplies. The US government expressed solidarity and readiness to assist in assessing needs on the ground.
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Pope Leo XIV also expressed his dismay and solidarity with the victims. In a message sent to the president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pontiff stated that he was praying for all those affected after the painful news of the earthquake that seriously hit several regions of the country, causing deaths and injuries.
Stories from Brazilians experiencing the earthquake
Brazilians who were in Colombia, whether living or traveling, shared their experiences during the strong earthquake. A resident of Roraima, staying on the 14th floor of a hotel in Bogotá with a friend, reported feeling the tremor and the need to quickly go down the stairs to the sound of sirens. From the street, she watched several buildings shake intensely.
Another Brazilian, born in Campinas and residing in the Colombian capital, said that, although low-intensity tremors are common in the region, this was the first time she had experienced such a strong earthquake. She described the feeling of disorientation given the magnitude of the shock.