A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, causing at least 20 fatalities and significant damage to buildings, including the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, a neo-Gothic landmark.
The quake hit at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, a municipality in the Pacific coast department of Chocó, according to the Colombian Geological Service.
The Archdiocese of Manizales shared videos on social media showing cracks in the cathedral’s facade and the partial collapse of one of its side towers. The church, standing at 390 feet, is the tallest cathedral in Colombia and the tallest neo-Gothic church in the Americas.
Rescue teams are working to assess the full extent of casualties and structural damage, as the earthquake is considered the strongest in the region in the last decade.
Colombia’s newly elected president, Abelardo De La Espriella, announced on social media that he has “personally taken charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar” and ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post to coordinate assistance. “You are not alone,” he wrote. “The state is present and acting.”
The Archdiocese of Manizales called for prayers for those affected, saying, “May God protect Manizales and Colombia, strengthen our hearts, and grant us serenity, solidarity, and hope. Lord, we place Colombia in your hands.”
The governor of Chocó, Nubia Córdoba, reported injuries and serious building damage in the capital, Quibdó. Additionally, the Civil Aeronautics Authority of Colombia suspended air operations at several airports, including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, and Armenia, pending structural inspections.
Local authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines as aftershocks may occur.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been adapted for English readers.
