{
  "id": 498784,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T19:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MercoPress",
    "slug": "mercopress",
    "url": "https://en.mercopress.com/2026/08/10/de-la-espriella-gives-the-first-earthquake-toll-and-entrusts-colombia-to-jesus-christ"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has announced preliminary figures of 111 fatalities and 87 injuries after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit various regions of the country. During a press conference chaired at the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, the president emphasized his trust in Jesus Christ, stating, \"I entrust our country to the Lord Jesus Christ.\" The earthquake has resulted in the damage or destruction of 1,575 homes, 37 buildings, 61 structures, 18 health centers, 52 schools, and 17 community centers. Additionally, 18 roads and 6 airports have been affected, with rescue efforts being the top priority. The government has declared a national disaster situation, and President Espriella plans to lead the response personally, providing updates every two to three hours. He will join the health and defense ministers in Quibdó, while the Interior Minister heads to the coffee-growing region and the Transport Minister to Valle del Cauca. Command posts have been established in Bogotá, Armenia, and Quibdó. The foreign ministry will coordinate international cooperation, with the president assuring that the country's allies have offered assistance. He urged Colombians to unite for the victims, stating that they will recover with the help of God, the government, and the international community.",
  "summary": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella reported 111 dead and 87 injured on Monday from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the west and center of the country, in an address containing extensive religious references. \"I entrust our country to the Lord Jesus Christ,\" he said after chairing a meeting of the unified command post set up at the National Disaster Risk Management Unit.",
  "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": "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": "MercoPress",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-10T19:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}