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World
Colombia earthquake: magnitude 7.4 disaster kills at least 169 and injures more than 600
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 1 min read
The essentials
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia at 7:34 a.m. on August 10, 2026, killing at least 169 people and injuring more than 600, according to a toll published on August 11. The epicentre was near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. Around 2,000 people were reported missing. Residents, volunteers, hundreds of soldiers and emergency services are searching for survivors in several affected cities. The Colombian government has declared a national state of emergency to coordinate the response.
- The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. on August 10.
- At least 169 people were killed and more than 600 injured.
- Around 2,000 people were reported missing.
- Rescue teams are searching for survivors in several cities.
- The government declared a national state of emergency.
What we know
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia at 7:34 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026. Its epicentre was near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department.
Le Monde reports that an updated toll published on August 11 put the number of deaths at no fewer than 169, with more than 600 people injured.
Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo were affected. Around 2,000 people were reported missing, including 188 in Cali in a later count.
Residents, volunteers, hundreds of soldiers and emergency services are searching the rubble in several cities for survivors.
Emergency response
The Colombian government declared a national state of emergency to coordinate relief operations. Nearly 50 aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake.
The governor of Risaralda, described as the worst-affected department, reported 42 deaths. Another toll also recorded 87 deaths in the regional capitals.
Key figures
7.4
Earthquake magnitude
At least 169
People killed as of August 11, 2026
More than 600
People injured as of August 11, 2026
Around 2,000
People reported missing
Nearly 50
Aftershocks recorded
An earthquake of rarely recorded intensity
The Colombian Geological Service, the agency responsible for studying natural resources and related risks, describes the earthquake as the country's strongest of the 21st century.
Another source describes it as the most powerful earthquake to strike the region in ten years.
How the death toll changed
- The magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes western Colombia.
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