7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia: 111 Dead and Rescue Efforts Underway

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on the morning of August 10, 2026, leaving 111 people dead and 87 injured, according to figures released by President Abelardo de la Espriella. The seismic event caused the collapse of 61 buildings and damaged 1,575 homes across the country, with the most severe impact reported in the Chocó region, where the epicenter was located.

Casualties and Infrastructure Damage in Colombia

President Abelardo de la Espriella provided a detailed balance of the destruction during a midday update on August 10, 2026. In addition to the 111 confirmed fatalities and 87 injuries, the president reported that 37 homes were completely destroyed and 1,575 dwellings suffered damage. The disaster affected critical public infrastructure, including 18 health centers and 52 educational facilities, according to the official report cited by Infobae.

Transportation networks were also heavily impacted. De la Espriella stated that 18 roads were affected and six airports suffered infrastructure damage, resulting in the suspension of commercial flight operations at those sites.

Rescue Operations in Cali and Pereira

Emergency teams and volunteers are conducting “against the clock” search operations to find survivors trapped under rubble. In Cali, rescue crews successfully extracted an adult and an infant only a few months old from the debris, according to reports from Infobae.

The first confirmed rescue occurred in Pereira, Risaralda, where authorities reported that a woman was recovered after remaining trapped for several hours. In urban areas, including a notary office in Cali, crowds of civilians have joined uniformed police officers and emergency personnel to remove debris by hand to reach missing relatives.

Regional Impact and Epicenter

While the Chocó region served as the epicenter of the earthquake, the tremors were felt across several departments. Infobae reports that significant damage occurred in Caldas, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Antioquia. Major cities including Pereira, Armenia, Manizales, and Cali reported heavy affects.

In Medellín and Ibagué, authorities recorded the collapse of building facades and structural damage, leading to preventive evacuations in multiple locations. Reports indicate the shaking lasted for several minutes, though officials are still working to determine the full extent of the damage across the national territory.

Government Response and Priorities

President Abelardo de la Espriella has designated the rescue of trapped individuals as the primary objective of the state’s official response.

“He dado una orden perentoria como jefe de Estado y jefe de Gobierno. Lo primero: el rescate de las personas que se encuentran bajo los escombros. Esa es la prioridad, rescatar a las personas que todavía están bajo los escombros”

President Abelardo de la Espriella via Infobae

The president also addressed the victims’ families, stating that the government would not leave them alone and would provide decisive assistance.