Colombia rocked by powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake
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Colombia rocked by powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake
- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, killing at least 164 people and injuring over 810.
- The tremor, the strongest in Colombia in a decade, occurred at approximately 7:34 a.m. local time with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó province.
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A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, causing widespread destruction and a rising death toll. The quake, which hit at approximately 7:34 a.m. local time, had its epicenter in the Chocó province, near San José del Palmar. This seismic event is considered the strongest to affect Colombia in the last decade.
Initial reports indicate at least 164 fatalities and more than 810 injured, with over 3,000 people reported missing. The earthquake caused extensive damage across various cities, including Cali, Pereira, Quibdó, and Manizales, where buildings collapsed and infrastructure was severely affected. In Pereira, at least 60 people died, and in the Valle del Cauca Department, 42 deaths were reported. The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica in Manizales suffered significant damage, with one of its towers collapsing.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had been inaugurated just three days prior, declared a national emergency to facilitate recovery efforts and pledged government support for those affected. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams working to find survivors trapped under rubble. The earthquake was felt across much of Colombia and in neighboring countries such as Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake at a depth of 110.3 km, and it was followed by at least 33 aftershocks.