A magnitude 7.4 tremor struck western Colombia, destroying buildings and leaving emergency crews searching for survivors

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and emergency authorities on Monday, August 10, 2026, launched a major rescue operation after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 111 people, injuring 87 and damaging more than 1,600 buildings across several cities.

Also read: Study Suggests Earthquake at Time of Jesus’ Crucifixion

The powerful Colombia earthquake struck at about 7:34am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, according to Colombian authorities. The tremor was felt across a wide area, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Bogotá, as well as parts of neighbouring countries.

The scale of the disaster became clearer as rescue teams reached affected communities. At least 61 buildings were reported to have completely collapsed, while dozens of other structures sustained significant damage.

Pereira emerged among the worst-hit urban areas. Earlier in the response, Mayor Mauricio Salazar said at least 18 people had died in the city and described the situation as critical.

“The situation is critical,” Salazar told Caracol Radio.

The casualty figure subsequently increased as authorities assessed damage in other affected areas. Reports now indicate that Pereira recorded about 40 deaths, while Valle del Cauca accounted for 27 fatalities and Manizales reported two.

Emergency workers have been searching collapsed structures for survivors, with communications disrupted in some of the most affected areas. Chocó, in particular, has proved difficult to assess because of its remote terrain and damaged infrastructure.

The destruction was not confined to residential buildings. Reports indicate that hospitals, schools, transport facilities and other public infrastructure were also affected, increasing pressure on emergency services already dealing with casualties.

In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, a portion of a hospital was damaged, while several medical facilities and schools were also affected. Manizales suffered damage to a section of its historic cathedral, while Pereira’s airport was among facilities reporting structural problems.

The earthquake was also felt outside Colombia, including in Ecuador and Panama. Residents in Bogotá evacuated buildings after the ground began shaking, although the capital escaped the most severe destruction reported in western parts of the country.

The Colombian authorities have declared a national emergency, allowing resources to be mobilised more rapidly for rescue and relief operations. President de la Espriella, who had only recently taken office, said his government would prioritise assistance to communities affected by the disaster.

The earthquake is being described by Colombian authorities and international reports as the strongest recorded in the country in the 21st century. Its relatively deep epicentre did not prevent extensive damage across populated areas.

The disaster has also revived regional concerns over seismic activity following a pair of powerful earthquakes that struck neighbouring Venezuela in June.

Those tremors caused deaths and widespread damage in parts of that country, adding to anxieties across northern South America.

As rescue operations continue, authorities face the difficult task of reaching isolated communities while determining which damaged buildings remain safe enough to enter.

The rising death toll has also highlighted the uncertainty that accompanies the first hours of a major earthquake. Initial reports placed the number of fatalities considerably lower, but the figure increased rapidly as emergency teams reached more affected locations and assessed collapsed structures.

For families still waiting for news of relatives, the search through rubble has become a race against time. Emergency crews, volunteers and local residents have joined efforts to locate people who may remain trapped beneath the debris.

International assistance has also begun to emerge. The United States has pledged $15.5 million in aid, while countries including El Salvador, Mexico and Chile have offered assistance as Colombia begins the immediate response to the disaster.

The immediate priority remains finding survivors, treating the injured and providing shelter for people whose homes have been damaged or rendered unsafe.

With more than 1,600 structures affected and assessments continuing in remote areas, authorities have warned that the full scale of the destruction may take time to establish.

For Colombia, the powerful earthquake has left a trail of loss across western communities and presented the new administration with an urgent humanitarian challenge.

Also read: Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Plant Amid Fear

The coming days will centre on rescue, recovery and determining how to support thousands of people whose lives have been abruptly disrupted.