Colombia hit by 7.4 and 4.8-magnitude twin earthquakes

Medellín, Colombia was struck by two powerful earthquakes on Monday, August 10. The first quake registered a magnitude of 7.4, followed by a subsequent 4.8-magnitude tremor. Both seismic events originated in the western state of Chocó, with the epicenters located in the municipality of San José del Palmar. The Colombian Geological Service reported that the first earthquake had a depth of just 98 kilometers, while the second measured 88 kilometers in depth.

Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi expressed concern about aftershocks and confirmed that there are injured people and significant building damage in Quidbó, the capital of the department. President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in on August 7, assumed direct leadership of the emergency response in San José del Palmar, establishing a Unified Command Post to coordinate the aftermath and assist affected individuals.

The president also requested a detailed report from David Santiago Tamayo, the director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, who was appointed on July 21, 2026. The seismic activity was felt across Colombia, including in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Manizales, and Pereira. Reports from social media indicated severe structural damage in Pereira and Manizales, as well as in the Pacific-bordering city of Cali.

Meanwhile, another 3.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Venezuelan municipality of Santa Ana Del Táchira on August 9, though it did not result in any reported injuries, deaths, or significant structural damage.