{
  "id": 494656,
  "title": "Colombia rocked by powerful earthquake, with almost 80 dead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/colombia-rocked-by-powerful-earthquake-with-almost-80-dead-494656",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T18:33:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/08/10/colombia-rocked-by-powerful-earthquake-with-nearly-80-dead/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday morning, a powerful earthquake struck Colombia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The magnitude-7.4 quake, centered near San Jose del Palmar in Choco province, caused severe damage to buildings and infrastructure in the western part of the country. US Geological Survey reported that the quake was followed by at least one aftershock, but there were no tsunami warnings.\n\nAccording to local media, people were found trapped under fallen masonry, with images showing the extent of the damage. In nearby Manizales, a cathedral tower was knocked over, while cracks appeared in buildings in Medellin and Cali, Colombia's second and third-largest cities. Bogota residents also felt the tremors, some even fleeing in their pajamas.\n\nCivil defense forces, firefighters, and volunteers rushed to rescue trapped individuals, while cracks in buildings prompted concern in the capital. Colombia's civil aviation authority suspended flights at several airports as inspectors checked for structural damage. The disaster arrives just days after Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, was sworn in, marking a significant test for his administration.\n\nThe country is still reeling from devastating twin earthquakes that hit neighboring Venezuela in June, claiming over 6,000 lives. President de la Espriella's government has declared a state of natural disaster, facing the immense challenge of responding to this latest catastrophe.",
  "summary": "A major earthquake hit Colombia on Monday morning, burying people under rubble and causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructure in the western part of the country. The magnitude-7.4 quake struck near the town of San Jose del Palmar, in Choco province, according to the US Geological Survey. There was at least one aftershock, but no tsunami warning. Nearly 80 people have been reported…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Colombia rocked by powerful earthquake, with almost 80 dead",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/colombia-rocked-by-powerful-earthquake-with-almost-80-dead",
        "published": "2026-08-10T18:33:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}