Strongest Earthquake This Century Hits Western Colombia: Over 160 Dead

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing more than 160 people and injuring at least 87 others, according to reports from the Irish Independent, the Irish Times, and CNBC. The quake, described by the Irish Independent as the strongest to hit the region this century, triggered a national state of emergency and widespread building collapses across several cities.

The earthquake occurred at 7:34 local time on August 10, centered near San José del Palmar in the Chocó province, a sparsely populated area on the Pacific Coast. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck at a depth of 107 km (66 miles), while Colombia’s geological service estimated the depth at 96 km (60 miles), according to CNBC.

Colombia’s disaster agency stated the tremors were felt in nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals. The U.S. tsunami warning system confirmed there was no threat of a tsunami following the event, CNBC reported.

Emergency Response and Government Action

President Abelardo De La Espriella, who was sworn into office only days before the disaster, declared a national state of emergency. In a national address delivered around midday on August 10, the president stated that the government had deployed all capabilities to protect lives and deliver aid.

“The first priority is rescuing the people trapped under the rubble.”

President Abelardo De La Espriella via CNBC

Rescue efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to locate individuals still trapped in debris, according to the Irish Times. International support has begun to mobilize, with RTE.ie reporting that the European Union is providing funding for the Colombian earthquake response.

Infrastructure Damage and Transport Disruptions

The earthquake caused significant structural damage in urban centers. In Manizales, police were photographed amid the debris of damaged commercial stores, according to CNBC.

Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended flights at several airports to allow inspectors to check for structural damage.

• Pereira
• Manizales
• Quibdo
• Armenia
• Cartago
• Buenaventura

Regional Impact and Historical Context

The tremors extended beyond Colombian borders. Reuters reported that witnesses in the central-western city of Barquisimeto and the border state of Tachira in Venezuela felt the quake.

The event follows a period of intense seismic activity in the region. According to CNBC, Venezuela was hit by twin earthquakes in June that killed more than 6,000 people, primarily along the coast near Caracas.

Casualty figures have risen steadily since the initial reports. The Guardian initially reported more than 100 deaths, a figure that grew to 111 in reports by CNBC, and eventually surpassed 160 according to the Irish Independent and the Irish Times.