The mayor of Pereira, Mauricio Salazar, preliminarily confirmed the deaths of 18 people, three of whom were at Matecana International Airport.

Six other airports also suffered damage, including those in Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Cali, according to the Civil Aeronautics Authority.

The agency reported that, for safety reasons, operations will remain suspended at these airports until structural damage to the infrastructure is assessed.

The mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, reported on his social media that at least 20 structures have collapsed in Cali, with people trapped inside. “I have requested support from the mayors of Bogota and Medellin with rescue workers. I ask the public to remain calm. Check your buildings for any apparent structural damage. If you don’t feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please leave the building,” he wrote.

Images from internet users and local media show dozens of buildings destroyed in the area known as the Coffee Region, in the central-western part of the country.

Although he had previously announced that he would travel to Pereira, President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed that he will be in the capital.

“I am heading to Bogota to focus on addressing the emergency our country is facing. I have convened a Unified Command Post at the UNGRD (National Unit for Disaster Risk Management), from where I will lead the efforts to assist the communities of Choco, the Coffee Region, and all affected areas,” he posted on social media.

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