7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia, Israel Offers Aid

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck Colombia on Monday, causing significant damage and injuries. The quake's epicenter was located in Chocó province on the Pacific coast in the west of the country. The tremor was felt as far as the capital, Bogotá, and reached the eastern border areas near Venezuela. Authorities reported heavy structural damage and casualties in Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, as well as in Pereira, Risaralda province. Despite the quake's strength and proximity to the ocean, no tsunami warning was issued.

This earthquake comes amid heightened geological activity in the region, following two major quakes of 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude that struck neighboring Venezuela about six weeks ago, causing building collapses, mass evacuations, and the closure of Caracas’s international airport.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who recently visited Colombia, quickly reached out to his Colombian counterpart, Omar Bola Escobar, offering Israel’s assistance. Sa’ar expressed concern on his X (formerly Twitter) account and affirmed Israel’s readiness to help Colombia as needed, sending thoughts and prayers to the Colombian people during this difficult time. Israel’s offer draws on its extensive experience in disaster relief, including a recent large-scale mission to Venezuela after the previous earthquakes, where 32 Israeli experts remained on the ground weeks after most international teams had left.