{
  "id": 498782,
  "title": "At least 111 dead in the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/at-least-111-dead-in-the-magnitude-7-4-earthquake-that-struck-western",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T19:51:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MercoPress",
    "slug": "mercopress",
    "url": "https://en.mercopress.com/2026/08/10/at-least-111-dead-in-the-magnitude-7.4-earthquake-that-struck-western-colombia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western and central Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 111 deaths and 87 injuries, according to the official toll provided by President Abelardo de la Espriella at 12:30 local time. The quake hit the municipality of San José del Palmar, located in Chocó department, at a depth of over 80 kilometers. This is the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the past decade.\n\nPereira and its metropolitan area bore the brunt of the disaster, with most of the fatalities occurring there. However, fatalities were also reported in Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, and other regions. The government estimated that over 1,500 homes were damaged, with 37 completely destroyed and 61 buildings collapsing. Additionally, 18 health centers, 52 schools, 17 community centers, and 18 roads sustained damage.\n\nThe suspension of civil aviation operations at seven air terminals, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura, further compounded the challenges faced by rescue efforts. Hospitals in Cali, particularly the Hospital Universitario del Valle, suffered partial collapses and structural damage, leading to the evacuation of multiple health institutions and at least seven intensive care patients trapped under rubble.\n\nValle del Cauca governor Dilian Francisca Toro reported at least five intensive care patients in critical condition, while Cali mayor Alejandro Eder appealed for rescue teams from Bogotá and Medellín to assist in freeing individuals trapped in collapsed structures. President de la Espriella declared a national disaster situation and is leading a unified command post at the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, with additional support centers in Armenia and Quibdó. The foreign ministry is coordinating international cooperation, with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offering assistance.\n\nThe Colombian Geological Service reported two aftershocks of magnitudes 2.8 and 4.8 following the initial earthquake. Furthermore, the Puracé volcano in Cauca department, which had been under orange alert since July, emitted ash and gases, coinciding in time with the earthquake.",
  "summary": "At least 111 people were killed and 87 injured by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western and central Colombia on Monday, according to the official toll given by President Abelardo de la Espriella as of 12:30 local time. Authorities warned the figure is preliminary and that rescue work is continuing.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Powerful earthquake rocks Colombia and neighbors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/powerful-earthquake-rocks-colombia-and-neighbors",
        "published": "2026-08-10T15:38:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Powerful 7.4 earthquake hits Colombia, injuries reported",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/powerful-7-4-earthquake-hits-colombia-injuries-reported",
        "published": "2026-08-10T15:42:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mexico News Daily",
        "title": "Sheinbaum pledges ‘all the support’ Colombia needs following deadly earthquake: Monday’s mañanera recapped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/sheinbaum-pledges-all-the-support-colombia-needs-following-deadly",
        "published": "2026-08-10T17:29:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "At least 77 killed after powerful earthquake hits western Colombia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/at-least-77-killed-after-powerful-earthquake-hits-western-colombia",
        "published": "2026-08-10T17:30:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MercoPress",
        "title": "De la Espriella gives the first earthquake toll and entrusts Colombia to Jesus Christ",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/de-la-espriella-gives-the-first-earthquake-toll-and-entrusts-colombia",
        "published": "2026-08-10T19:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Time",
        "title": "What to Know About the Earthquake in Colombia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/what-to-know-about-the-earthquake-in-colombia",
        "published": "2026-08-10T19:41:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Colombia, crumbling homes and buildings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/7-4-magnitude-earthquake-rocks-colombia-crumbling-homes-and-buildings",
        "published": "2026-08-10T22:55:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Colombia earthquake toll rises to 132: What is the scale of destruction and rescue operations?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/colombia-earthquake-toll-rises-to-132-what-is-the-scale-of",
        "published": "2026-08-11T00:47:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Colombia earthquake has killed at least 132. Research helps explain why it was so destructive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/colombia-earthquake-has-killed-at-least-132-research-helps-explain",
        "published": "2026-08-11T05:46:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Colombia rescue efforts press on after deadly earthquake",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/colombia-rescue-efforts-press-on-after-deadly-earthquake",
        "published": "2026-08-11T06:56:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "In the news today: B.C. wildfire reinforcements, Colombia earthquake, car thefts down",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/in-the-news-today-b-c-wildfire-reinforcements-colombia-earthquake-car",
        "published": "2026-08-11T08:30:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}