A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia early Monday, resulting in at least 111 deaths and leaving nearly 90 others injured. The disaster hit just days into the term of new President Abelardo De La Espriella, marking an immediate and grave test for his administration. According to the US Geological Survey, the tremor originated at a depth of 107 kilometers near San José del Palmar in the Chocó province. While the region is sparsely populated, the impact was widespread, with tremors felt across major cities and officials warning that the final toll could climb as rescue efforts continue.

The western province of Risaralda has been hit particularly hard, accounting for at least 42 of the fatalities reported so far. Chaos has unfolded across the region as infrastructure crumbled; harrowing footage shared on social media captures buildings collapsing into dust in the capital city of Pereira and a tower falling from a historic cathedral in Manizales. Hospitals in Cali were also forced to evacuate patients into the streets for safety as the country grapples with the aftermath of this massive seismic event.