A strong earthquake shook western Colombia early on Monday morning. The earthquake had a strength of 7.4 and hit near the town of San José del Palmar in Chocó. Rescue teams are searching for survivors, and at least 254 people have died. The cities of Pereira and Cali suffered the most damage, and many buildings fell down.

The earthquake happened because of sudden movements under the earth, which is common in this region. Many people felt the shaking, even in cities far away like Bogotá, and in other countries such as Panama and Ecuador.

As a result of the disaster, many people have lost their homes and need help. The government and rescue workers are bringing emergency supplies, and some countries and groups like the United Nations are also sending aid to help the victims and rebuild damaged areas.