A powerful 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday morning, resulting in a tragic loss of life and widespread structural destruction. According to local officials, at least 20 people have been confirmed dead so far. The town of Pereira suffered the most severe impact, with Mayor Mauricio Salazar reporting 18 fatalities and noting that several residents remain trapped beneath the debris of collapsed buildings. Meanwhile, in Manizales, Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas confirmed that two additional individuals lost their lives during the tremor.

The seismic event, which occurred at 7:34 a.m. at a depth of 79 kilometers, also caused significant chaos in the department of Choco. Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi expressed deep concern regarding potential aftershocks, highlighting that while the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, the capital city of Quibdo has sustained heavy damage and multiple injuries. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) is currently working in coordination with regional authorities to assess the full extent of the devastation and provide official updates as search and rescue operations continue.