7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia, Killing Dozens
On August 10, 2026, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter near San José Del Palmar, Chocó region. The quake killed at least 69 people, with Pereira hardest hit (18 deaths), and caused widespread building collapses in Cali, Manizales, and other cities. Aftershocks followed, and flights were suspended at six airports. The tremor was felt in Ecuador and Venezuela. Newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella activated a crisis team and traveled to Pereira.
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Earthquake in Colombia: No Rest After the Quake
A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 12, 2026, with the epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó Department. The quake, the strongest in decades, has killed approximately 250 people, with most fatalities in Pereira. Over 53,000 people are affected, 140 buildings completely collapsed, and tens of thousands of homes damaged. Around 4,200 people are missing. In Pereira, the hardest-hit city, residents and volunteers are frantically searching rubble for survivors as the 72-hour window for finding victims alive closes. Official rescue workers are scarce, and locals use arm signals for silence to listen for signs of life. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an 'economic state of emergency' to access reconstruction funds. The article describes the chaotic scene at Parque La Libertad, where a four-story building housing a bakery, pharmacy, and homeless hotel collapsed into a massive rubble heap.
Earthquake in Colombia: No Rest After the Quake
A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 14, 2026, with the epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó Department. The quake, the strongest in decades, has killed approximately 250 people, with most fatalities in Pereira. Over 53,000 people are affected, 140 buildings completely collapsed, and tens of thousands of homes damaged. Around 4,200 people are missing. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with volunteers and official helpers searching rubble for survivors. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an 'economic state of emergency' to access reconstruction funds. The article describes the chaotic scene at Parque La Libertad in Pereira, where a four-story building housing a bakery, pharmacy, and hotel for homeless people collapsed into a massive rubble heap. Rescuers use dogs and audio sensors to listen for signs of life, racing against the 72-hour survival window.
Earthquake response strains Colombia's new government and rescuers as they race against the clock
A devastating earthquake in Colombia has killed at least 181 people, straining the country's new government and rescue teams as they race against time to find survivors. Rescuers are searching through rubble, with notable rescues including a baby found after a whisper was heard. The search has stretched into a third day, with international attention and local authorities struggling to manage the scale of the disaster. The earthquake has been described as extremely devastating by local officials, including a Colombian Archbishop. Multiple news outlets, including AP News, CNN, Reuters, and The New York Times, are covering the ongoing crisis.
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A big earthquake reveals two very different Colombias
On August 10th, 2026, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Quibdó in the western state of Chocó, Colombia, causing widespread destruction and at least 265 deaths. The disaster occurred just three days after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as president. The article highlights the stark contrast between Colombia's affluent, well-prepared regions and its poorer, vulnerable areas like Chocó, which suffered the most damage. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with survivors being pulled from rubble. The earthquake exposes deep socioeconomic divides in the country, as the new administration faces the challenge of responding to the crisis while addressing long-standing inequalities.
A big earthquake reveals two very different Colombias
On August 10th, 2026, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Quibdó in the western state of Chocó, Colombia, killing at least 254 people and causing widespread destruction. The disaster occurred just three days after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as president. The article highlights the stark contrast between Colombia's affluent, earthquake-resilient regions and the impoverished, poorly constructed areas like Chocó, where the quake caused disproportionate devastation. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with survivors being pulled from rubble. The event underscores deep socioeconomic inequalities in the country.
Colombia earthquake kills over 250 as rescue operations continue
A devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, resulting in more than 250 fatalities. Rescue teams are actively searching through rubble for survivors. In a show of regional solidarity, Peru has dispatched humanitarian aid and is preparing to deploy trained rescuers to assist in the relief efforts. The earthquake has caused widespread destruction, and the death toll may rise as search operations continue.
Colombia quake kills over 200 as rescue teams race to find missing
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing over 200 people and damaging hundreds of buildings across multiple cities including Cali, Quibdo, Pereira, and Manizales. The quake, described by Colombia's Geological Service as the strongest recorded in the 21st century, was followed by several aftershocks. Rescue teams and civilians are searching through rubble for survivors, with many still trapped. The disaster presents the first major challenge for newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump ally. Local authorities reported at least 40 deaths in the Risaralda region (Pereira) and 27 in Valle del Cauca (Cali), including three children. The quake was also felt in neighboring Ecuador.
More than 3,000 missing after earthquake in Colombia
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Chocó region of Colombia on Monday, causing widespread devastation. Local authorities report at least 240 dead and more than 3,000 missing as of Tuesday. The earthquake damaged or collapsed around 1,600 buildings in cities including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. Soldiers, rescue workers, and relatives are searching rubble for survivors, with many families posting information about missing loved ones online. Newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella traveled to the disaster area, mobilizing the military and police for aid. Curfews were imposed in Cali and Pereira to prevent looting. In the town of El Cairo, about 80% of buildings were damaged. The earthquake is the first major test for the new president, who promised that Chocó 'will never again be the land of the forgotten.'
Colombia earthquake kills over 100 as rescue teams race to find missing
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, causing widespread destruction across cities including Cali, Quibdo, Pereira, and Manizales. The death toll has risen to at least 111, with many people trapped under debris. Hundreds of buildings were damaged, including 380 in Cali alone. Rescue operations continued through the night as volunteers and emergency personnel searched for survivors. Colombia's Geological Service reported this as the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the 21st century, followed by several aftershocks. The disaster presents the first major challenge for newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump ally who took office over the weekend. The quake was also felt in neighboring Ecuador.
After the earthquake in Colombia: The death toll is likely to rise further
A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 11, 2026, with the epicenter in San José Del Palmar, Chocó department. At least 110 people have died, 87 are injured, and over 2,000 are reported missing. The cities of Cali, Manizales, and Pereira were hardest hit, with Pereira recording at least 55 fatalities. More than 1,500 houses are uninhabitable and around 60 collapsed completely. Newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of emergency on his third day in office and traveled to affected areas. The historically neglected Chocó region faces particular challenges due to poverty, armed group control, and limited accessibility. Rescue operations continue with soldiers and volunteers searching rubble, while authorities warn against false social media claims about earthquake predictability. The death toll is expected to rise as communication with remote areas remains difficult.
Live updates: Death toll rises to 132 following 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, resulting in a rising death toll that has reached 132. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities expecting the number of casualties to increase further. The earthquake occurred just days after Colombia's new president assumed office, adding a layer of political significance to the disaster. The seismic event has also forced the postponement of Conmebol and other league football games in the country. Multiple major news outlets, including CNN, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, and The New York Times, are covering the unfolding situation, providing live updates and analysis on the impact of the earthquake.
Earthquake in Colombia: Rescuers search for survivors as death toll exceeds 110
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar on August 11, 2026, killing at least 111 people and causing widespread destruction. Newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and promised rapid aid, mobilizing 1,000 soldiers for search and rescue operations. In Cali alone, 188 people are missing, 35 are dead, and about 700 are injured, with three hospitals and 40 buildings collapsed. The quake was felt in Bogotá, Medellín, and neighboring countries Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. Thousands of homes were damaged in Pereira and Manizales, where 60 died. Power and communications are disrupted, and six airports are closed. Residents are assisting in rubble searches. The Colombian Geological Service noted no connection to recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
Massive Colombia earthquake kills at least 111, triggers frantic search for missing
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing at least 111 people and damaging or collapsing around 1,600 buildings across cities including Cali, Quibdó, and Pereira. Search and rescue operations continued through the night as families posted information about more than 2,700 missing people on citizen-run websites. The hardest-hit area is Choco, one of Colombia's poorest and most remote regions, where damage extent remains unclear due to limited access. President Abelardo de la Espriella, sworn in just days earlier, mobilized the military and police for response and announced rental subsidies for displaced residents. The U.S. State Department pledged $15.5 million in emergency aid, and other Latin American governments offered assistance. The earthquake comes after two devastating quakes hit neighboring Venezuela in late June.
Strong 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia, Killing at Least 47
On August 10, 2026, a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, causing significant destruction and loss of life. The quake was also felt in neighboring Latin American countries. According to reporter Daniel Koop, at least 47 people have been confirmed dead. The earthquake's epicenter and specific areas of damage were not detailed in the brief report, but the high magnitude suggests widespread impact. Rescue and assessment efforts are likely underway. The report originates from the German news outlet Die Welt.
Strong 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Colombia Kills at Least 69
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing at least 69 people and causing widespread destruction. The US Geological Survey reported the epicenter near San José Del Palmar in the Chocó region, about 400 kilometers west of Bogotá, at a depth of 107 kilometers. Numerous buildings collapsed in cities including Pereira, Manizales, and Cali, where Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed people trapped in at least 19 collapsed houses. In Manizales, a tower of the neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed onto the nave. Newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered a joint crisis team and announced he would travel to Pereira. A 4.6 magnitude aftershock was registered in Nóvita. Flight operations at several airports were temporarily suspended for structural inspections. Witnesses described the quake as the strongest they had ever experienced.
Strong 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Colombia Kills at Least 47
A severe earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread building collapses. The US Geological Survey reported the epicenter in San José Del Palmar, Chocó region, at a depth of 107 kilometers. The quake was felt as far as neighboring Ecuador. In Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, at least 19 houses collapsed, trapping people. In Manizales, a tower of the neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed onto the nave. Local authorities confirmed 18 deaths in Pereira and two in Manizales. Newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella activated a joint crisis team and announced he would travel to Pereira. A magnitude 4.6 aftershock was recorded in Nóvita. Flight operations at several airports were temporarily suspended for structural inspections. A witness described the earthquake as the strongest he had ever experienced.
Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake in Western Colombia Kills at Least 20
A severe earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing at least 20 people, according to authorities. The city of Pereira in the coffee region was hardest hit, with 18 fatalities reported by Mayor Mauricio Salazar. Two people died in Manizales, where a cathedral tower collapsed. In Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, at least 20 buildings collapsed and people were trapped. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at a depth of 107 kilometers, with the epicenter near San José Del Palmar in the Chocó region, about 400 kilometers west of Bogotá. The tremor was felt in neighboring Ecuador and Venezuela, which recently suffered devastating earthquakes. Colombia's aviation authority temporarily suspended flights at six airports to inspect terminals. The national disaster agency UNGRD received reports from nine provinces, and evacuations occurred in all 32 provincial capitals.
7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia and Ecuador, Triggering Evacuations
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, with its epicentre in San Jose Del Palmar, Choco region, about 400 km west of Bogota. The quake, at a depth of 107 km, was felt across Colombia and neighbouring Ecuador, prompting evacuations from homes and buildings. Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba reported injuries and serious structural damage in the regional capital, though no further details were provided. The event follows two major earthquakes in Venezuela in late June that killed over 5,000 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.