Instant Chaos as 7.4 Magnitude Quake Strikes Colombia: Worst of 21st Century Leaves 164 Dead

[Anchor]

A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck Colombia in South America. It is the most powerful earthquake to hit Colombia in the 21st century, plunging the area into immediate chaos as airport ceilings collapsed and buildings crumbled one after another. The death toll confirmed so far has exceeded 160.

First, let's go to reporter Kim Yongtae.

[Reporter]

A precariously standing four-story building collapses completely.

The once-peaceful street is instantly enveloped in thick dust and the screams of people.

One wall of this building, its windows warped and shaking, is completely destroyed.

At a medical facility, outer walls fall off one by one as people begin desperate evacuations to save their lives.

Airport passengers take cover under tables as parts of the ceiling cave in all around.

[Earthquake Witness: I thought it was the end right there. It was hard to believe.]

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in western Colombia at 7:34 AM on Monday, local time.

This is the most powerful earthquake to hit Colombia since a 6.2 magnitude quake killed about 1,000 people in 1999.

The epicenter was in the Choco department, about 230 km in a straight line from the capital city of Bogota, with damage concentrated in cities such as Pereira and Cali.

It has been reported that 164 people have died and over 800 others have been injured so far.

[Quintero / Earthquake Witness: We started heading toward the exit, but the shaking just kept getting stronger. It was truly terrifying.]

The strong tremors were felt even in the capital of Bogota.

[Kim Jong-sung / President of the Korean Association in Colombia: It shook quite severely. I have lived here in Bogota for about 30 years, and I think it is the first time I have ever experienced anything like that.]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that no casualties among South Korean expatriates have been confirmed thus far.

[Kim Jong-sung / President of the Korean Association in Colombia: There are three or four expatriates living in areas heavily affected, and we haven't been able to reach them by phone yet. The embassy and we are continuing to try to make contact.]

There are approximately 800 South Korean expatriates living in Colombia, mostly residing in and around the capital of Bogota.

(Video Editing: Jung Sunghoon, Design: Park Chan-woong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.