Colombia earthquake: magnitude 7.4 quake kills 132 and injures more than 570

Herz — World Desk · 11 August 2026 at 08:49 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What is known

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the department of Chocó in western Colombia early on August 10, 2026.

Asocapitales reported 132 deaths, including 87 recorded in departmental capitals, and more than 570 injuries, according to Tribune de Genève and 24 heures.

In Cali, 188 people were missing, President Abelardo de la Espriella said. Collapsed buildings left people trapped beneath the rubble.

The epicentre was recorded near San José del Palmar in Chocó. The department had reported 13 deaths at the time of the cited count.

The tremors were felt in Bogotá, Cali and Medellín, sending thousands of people into the streets across major cities in western Colombia.

Searches for survivors

In Cali, rescuers and volunteers cleared rubble with their bare hands or basic tools and formed human chains while searching for survivors.

The father and baby of a woman trapped beneath two five-storey towers in Cali were found injured but alive.

Debris removal and searches for survivors also took place in Manizales and Pereira.

The cathedral in Manizales was damaged by the August 10, 2026 earthquake.

State of emergency and damage

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had taken office three days earlier, declared a state of emergency and promised a coordinated rescue operation.

The president said approximately 1,500 homes had been damaged.

The reported number of collapsed buildings rose from 61 to 86, while the number of airports with suspended operations increased from six to seven.

Key figures