Buildings Collapse and Airport Ceilings Cave In: The Moment a Powerful Earthquake Struck Colombia

The moment the most powerful earthquake in a decade struck Colombia on the 10th (local time), buildings across the country completely collapsed or suffered heavy damage as if hit by a bombing, plunging local residents into deep panic.

Footage obtained by U.S. broadcaster CNN captured a four-story building completely collapsing in Pereira, the capital of Risaralda Department in western Colombia.

Pereira is located just about 60 kilometers east of the earthquake's epicenter.

The collapsed building caved in right in the middle of a street dotted with fruit stands, and residents hurriedly evacuated amid thick clouds of dust.

In the Pereira region, a part of the outer wall of San Jose Church was also captured collapsing.

As street trees and utility poles swayed violently from side to side and the church building collapsed, passersby screamed, grabbed onto one another, and fled.

Some residents even took tools like hammers into the rubble of collapsed buildings to search for survivors themselves.

President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that the death toll from the strong earthquake has been tallied at 111, with 87 injuries.

However, rescue operations are still in their initial stages, and with many people reportedly trapped under building debris, the death toll is expected to rise significantly.

At Matecaña International Airport, used by travelers, ceiling materials came crashing down due to the earthquake.

The airport interior shook violently as if struck by a bomb, and ceilings collapsed in various places.

Passengers rushed out of the airport while protecting their heads.

Colombian aviation authorities stated that following the earthquake, damage reports were received from six airports in the western region, including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura.

According to a preliminary analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurred near San José del Palmar in the Pacific coastal department of Chocó at 7:34 a.m. local time on that day (8:34 p.m. Korea Standard Time).

The New York Times (NYT), citing an announcement by the Colombian Geological Survey, reported that this earthquake was the most powerful to hit Colombia in the past 10 years.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.