{
  "id": 2538670,
  "title": "Colombia's earthquake toll rises to 329 dead and more than 300,000 affected",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/colombias-earthquake-toll-rises-to-329-dead-and-more-than-300-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T08:47:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MercoPress",
    "slug": "mercopress",
    "url": "https://en.mercopress.com/2026/08/22/colombia-s-earthquake-toll-rises-to-329-dead-and-more-than-300-000-affected"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck western and central Colombia on August 10, resulting in 329 deaths, 4,600 injuries, and 247 missing persons as of Friday, according to the National Disaster Risk Management Unit. The affected population totals 314,751, comprising 154,014 families across 481 municipalities in 16 out of Colombia's 32 departments. Material damage has also increased significantly, with 171,273 homes damaged, 31,183 destroyed, and 553 buildings collapsing, primarily in the cities of Cali and Pereira. The destruction extended to 367 health centers, 3,710 schools, 5,584 community centers, and 427 roads. As of the latest report on Friday, 364 people were still alive after being rescued. Reports of the toll have changed considerably between assessments, with the death toll ranging from 239 to 329 and the affected population varying from 49,214 to 314,751. Missing persons have fluctuated from 143 to 379. The reasons for these variations include the cross-checking of initial reports against official records, the incorporation of municipal government surveys, and the on-site assessment of buildings by engineering teams. The earthquake's epicenter was in San José del Palmar, located in the Chocó department, which has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. The worst-affected departments include Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, and Quindío. The Colombian Geological Service described the earthquake as the strongest seismic event recorded in Colombia this century, with 325 aftershocks reported one week after the quake. Search operations shifted to body recovery and debris clearance by last weekend, as there were no more survivors. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an economic emergency on August 12, allowing the executive to issue decrees with the force of law, and established a fund to channel resources for reconstruction.",
  "summary": "The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western and central Colombia on August 10 has left 329 dead, 4,600 injured and 247 missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Management Unit's assessment as of Friday. The number of people affected stands at 314,751, from 154,014 families, across 481 municipalities in 16 of the country's 32 departments.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Rio Times",
        "title": "Colombia Earthquake Toll Rises to 329 Dead and 247 Missing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/colombia-earthquake-toll-rises-to-329-dead-and-247-missing",
        "published": "2026-08-22T06:37:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}