At least 20 buildings collapsed in Cali, site of the recent presidential inauguration

Cali (Colombia).- At least 20 buildings suffered serious damage in the city of Cali, which three days ago was the scene of the inauguration of the new Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, as a result of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook most of the country this Monday, with its epicenter in the Pacific zone.

“Caleños, at the moment we have at least 20 collapsed structures in Cali, with people trapped, we are already at the forefront of this emergency with all of Cali’s relief agencies,” stated the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, on his X account.

One of the affected buildings was the Molino Rojo motel, located on the Autopista Suroriental, which practically collapsed, and the facades of other buildings in the city center and in the Canchas Panamericanas sector also suffered damage.

In the Capri neighborhood, reports were made of several people who may be trapped due to the collapse of a building, and a similar situation is being experienced in a building located in the Avenida Roosevelt sector, where the structure was reduced to rubble.

Eder, who just three days ago hosted the national and international authorities who came to this city, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, for the inauguration of the new president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, said that he asked “the mayor of Bogotá and the mayor of Medellín for support with rescue workers”.

“I ask the citizenry to remain calm. Check if there is any apparent structural damage in your buildings. If you do not feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please leave the building. Let us support our rescuers with whatever is necessary. Please, also take care of safety and the surroundings,” added Eder.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.4, according to the Colombian Geological Service, had its epicenter in the town of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, located in the Pacific region, the same one where Cali, the most important city in the area, is located.

Authorities are also verifying damage to the Valle del Cauca Governor’s Office building, the Municipal Administrative Center (CAM) of Cali, and a building of the Fundación Valle del Lili.