The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia has been recorded as the most powerful quake observed in the country over the past 10 years (since the start of the 21st century). As of the 11th, the disaster has left 164 people dead and 570 injured.

According to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time on the 10th near San José del Palmar in Chocó Province, western Colombia. The epicenter was located approximately 400 km west of the capital, Bogotá, with a focal depth of about 110 to 112 km. At least 21 aftershocks continued through the evening, and the tremors were felt in neighboring countries, including Ecuador and Panama. USGS experts pointed to movement along a deep fault in the Nazca Plate as the cause of the earthquake. This region is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

Damage was concentrated mainly in the western regions, including Pereira in Risaralda Province, famous for its coffee production; Cali in Valle del Cauca Province; and Quibdó in Chocó Province. In Pereira, which reported the highest number of fatalities, rescue operations are ongoing, including the collapse of a four-story building. In Cali, at least 30 buildings have collapsed, with rescue teams conducting searches at 10 sites, and the death toll alone has reached 35. In Manizales, Caldas Province, the tower of a landmark cathedral collapsed, and three people were confirmed dead. Other areas, including Pacific coast cities such as Buenaventura, as well as Chocó and Antioquia Provinces, have also seen a steady stream of casualties from building collapses.

Disaster response infrastructure has also suffered significant damage. A total of 1,575 homes were damaged, 61 of which completely collapsed, and medical facilities, roads, and airports also sustained considerable damage. Six airports suspended operations, and all professional soccer matches were postponed. In particular, Cali issued a red alert for its healthcare system as bed occupancy reached 100%. With many people trapped under building debris, suspected missing person cases have exceeded 2,000, and the scale of damage is expected to grow further.

Anxiety has also been compounded in neighboring countries that recently experienced earthquake disasters. In June, successive strong earthquakes in Venezuela killed more than 6,000 people, and in 1999, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck areas including Pereira and Armenia, claiming more than 1,000 lives.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella faced the disaster just four days after taking office on the 7th. On the afternoon of the 10th, he declared a national emergency and stated he would personally visit the affected areas, emphasizing that all available resources would be mobilized to support residents. Emergency rescue teams have been dispatched from major cities including Bogotá and Medellín, and police and military forces have been deployed to the streets to maintain order. Nighttime curfews have also been imposed in Cali, Armenia, and Manizales.

International emergency assistance continues to pour in. The U.S. government announced $15.5 million (approximately 22 billion won) in emergency relief aid, while the European Union (EU) has moved to provide satellite services and financial support through the Red Cross. Latin American countries, including El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile, have also expressed their intention to dispatch rescue teams and medical personnel. Colombian-born singer Shakira also sent a message of solidarity to her homeland via social media. Meanwhile, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that most of the approximately 800 Korean nationals residing in Colombia live in and around Bogotá, far from the epicenter, and have suffered no significant damage.