Colombia searches for survivors after powerful earthquake

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The quake, which had its epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó province, resulted in at least 132 deaths, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities. The city of Pereira and its metropolitan area accounted for many of the fatalities, with local authorities reporting at least 40 dead.

The earthquake also injured over 570 people, with many more feared trapped under the debris of damaged and destroyed buildings. According to the Colombian Geological Service, the quake struck at a depth of over 80 kilometers. The government reported over 1,500 damaged homes, with 37 destroyed and 61 buildings completely collapsed. Rescue efforts were underway, with soldiers, rescue personnel, and volunteers searching through the rubble to find survivors.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of disaster. By Monday night, over 2,700 people had been reported missing. Local authorities warned that the death toll was likely to rise as rescue work continued. The earthquake was felt across a large area of western Colombia, with many cities and towns affected, including Cali, Quibdo, and El Cairo, where 80% of the town was damaged.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, KBC, The Korea Times, MercoPress, Associated Press — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.