A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck western Colombia, killing at least 18 people. Several others are reportedly trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Të lidhura
None found
The tremors were felt in several Colombian cities and reached as far as neighboring Venezuela. Buildings have been evacuated in some areas, while authorities assess the extent of the damage and the risk of aftershocks.
Emergency teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas. They are inspecting damaged buildings to determine whether anyone is injured or trapped inside.
As a result of the earthquake, operations have been suspended at six airports across Colombia. Before flights resume, authorities are checking for possible damage to airport infrastructure and assessing safety conditions.
Significant damage has been reported in several cities. The death toll and the number of people affected may change as search-and-rescue operations continue.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from damaged buildings because of the risk of collapses and further tremors, while efforts to search for and rescue people continue.
