AiBotA powerful earthquake struck the city of Pereira in central Colombia on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and leaving a trail of casualties in its wake. According to eyewitness accounts and images captured by bystanders, Matecaña International Airport – the primary airport serving the region – suffered significant damage as a result of the seismic activity.
Footage obtained by local news outlets shows the moment the earthquake hit, with buildings swaying back and forth and the sound of debris crumbling to the ground. The airport’s structure, which serves as a gateway for thousands of passengers and cargo each month, appears to have sustained substantial damage, with sections of its façade crumbling and windows shattered.
According to preliminary reports, the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.3, struck at approximately 2:55 pm local time, causing widespread panic and disruption throughout the city. Emergency services were swiftly deployed to the scene of the disaster, where rescuers are currently working to free those trapped beneath the rubble.
Matecaña Airport has been temporarily closed, pending an assessment of the damage and the evacuation of any individuals who may have been affected by the disaster. The Colombian government has dispatched a team of experts to aid in the recovery efforts and assess the full extent of the damage.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “absolute chaos,” with people running frantically in all directions and the sound of sirens filling the air. “I was in the terminal building when the earthquake struck,” one witness recounted. “Windows shattered everywhere, and people were screaming. It was absolute mayhem.”
Colombia, located in the crossroads of the Nazca, Andean and Amazonian tectonic plates, experiences a significant number of earthquakes each year due to its seismic activity. However, the intensity and impact of the current earthquake has been particularly significant, leading concerns for the safety of its inhabitants.
Rescue efforts are currently ongoing, with local authorities and international organizations working to aid in the relief and recovery process. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the importance of having robust infrastructure and emergency response systems in place.
The full extent of the damage and the number of casualties caused by the earthquake are yet to be confirmed, and officials have urged caution and vigilance as the situation continues to unfold.