7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Colombia, Killing More Than 130 and Injuring Hundreds

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BOGOTA, Colombia — Large parts of western Colombia were shaken by a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday morning, August 10, 2026, leaving more than 130 people dead, hundreds injured, and causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Rescue and emergency teams continued searching affected areas as concerns grew that people could still be trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.

According to the latest available reports, the death toll has risen to more than 130 people, while hundreds of others have been injured. The figure could continue to change as rescue teams reach remote and difficult-to-access areas and authorities verify reports from across the affected regions.

The earthquake struck in the morning, with its epicenter located near San José del Palmar in the western department of Chocó. According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 and occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers.

Damage and Collapsed Buildings Reported Across Several Areas

The powerful earthquake caused material damage across several parts of western and central Colombia, particularly in the departments of Chocó, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca and Caldas.

Damage was reported in several cities and towns, including Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Armenia and Quibdó, where buildings and other structures suffered varying degrees of damage.

As the earthquake struck, many residents rushed out of their homes and gathered in streets and open areas, fearing building collapses and additional aftershocks.

In the hardest-hit areas, residents joined rescue teams in searching for people believed to be trapped beneath collapsed structures. Emergency crews faced significant challenges because of the scale of the damage and difficulties reaching some locations.

Epicenter Located in a Remote Region

The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in Chocó, an area characterized by mountainous terrain and dense forests. The geography makes rescue operations and the delivery of emergency assistance particularly difficult.

According to USGS data, the epicenter was located approximately 5 kilometers east of San José del Palmar.

Large parts of Chocó are among Colombia's most difficult-to-reach areas. Some local communities depend on river transportation or air travel, potentially delaying damage assessments and the delivery of aid to affected residents.

Tremors Felt Across a Wide Area

The earthquake was felt well beyond the immediate area surrounding the epicenter, with residents reporting strong shaking in different parts of Colombia.

Tremors were also felt in neighboring countries, including Ecuador and Panama.

However, the earthquake was not centered in Brazil or the United States, despite social media posts claiming that people in distant areas had experienced shaking.

Seismologists explain that strong earthquakes can be felt hundreds of kilometers away because seismic waves travel through the Earth's crust and can reach distant areas.

Authorities Warn of Possible Aftershocks

Following the main earthquake, several aftershocks were recorded in the region, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain cautious and stay away from buildings that had been damaged.

Aftershocks can pose a particular danger to already weakened structures because another strong tremor could cause damaged buildings to collapse.

Emergency teams therefore continued monitoring seismic activity while rescue operations and structural safety assessments remained underway.

Colombia Is Located in a Seismically Active Region

Colombia is exposed to seismic activity because of its geographical position and the interaction of tectonic plates in northwestern South America.

The country experiences small and moderate earthquakes relatively frequently, while earthquakes exceeding magnitude 6 are less common.

The latest earthquake has once again highlighted the risks posed by seismic activity in Colombia, particularly in areas containing older buildings or infrastructure that may not have been designed to withstand powerful earthquakes.

Emergency Services Mobilized for Rescue Operations

Colombian authorities launched a broad emergency response following the earthquake. Rescue teams, civil defense personnel, police officers and volunteers began searching for missing people and anyone who might be trapped beneath the rubble.

The first hours following a major earthquake are considered critical for rescue operations. Specialized teams work to locate survivors and reach them as quickly as possible.

Authorities are also assessing damage to homes, public buildings, hospitals, roads, airports and other critical infrastructure.

Disruptions Reported to Air Travel and Transportation

The powerful earthquake caused disruptions at several transportation facilities and airports in affected areas.

Reports indicated that flights were suspended or disrupted at a number of airports while authorities inspected runways, terminals and other facilities to determine whether they were safe before normal operations could resume.

Some roads and other infrastructure were also damaged, potentially complicating the delivery of emergency assistance to remote communities.

These transportation difficulties represent one of the major challenges facing rescue teams, particularly in Chocó and the surrounding mountainous areas.

One of the Strongest Earthquakes in Colombia's Recent History

The earthquake has renewed attention on Colombia's seismic history, with reports describing it as one of the strongest earthquakes to strike the country in modern times.

The magnitude of the event also places it among the strongest earthquakes recorded in Colombia during the 21st century.

The disaster has brought back memories of the 1999 Armenia earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.2 and killed more than 1,000 people, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in Colombia's modern history.

Government Leads Emergency Response

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said the government would lead the national response to the disaster and directed authorities to provide assistance to affected communities.

Officials said their priorities included rescuing trapped residents, providing medical care to injured people and assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.

The disaster comes during the early days of President de la Espriella's administration, making the emergency response one of the first major challenges facing the new government.

International Support for Colombia

Following the earthquake, Colombia received messages of solidarity from several countries across the Americas, while other governments expressed their willingness to provide assistance if requested by Colombian authorities.

The United States also expressed its readiness to support Colombia as it responds to the disaster, while the United Nations said it was prepared to provide assistance if needed.

The international response comes as Colombian authorities remain focused on rescue operations, emergency relief and damage assessments.

Did the Earthquake Hit Brazil and the United States?

The earthquake was followed by social media posts claiming that tremors had also struck Brazil and the United States.

However, the main earthquake responsible for the deaths and damage occurred in Colombia, near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó.

People living far from an earthquake's epicenter can sometimes feel seismic waves generated by a powerful earthquake. However, feeling those waves does not necessarily mean that a separate earthquake of the same magnitude occurred in that location.

It is therefore important to distinguish between seismic shaking being felt in a distant area and an independently recorded earthquake occurring there.

Death Toll Could Continue to Change

As rescue teams continue inspecting damaged buildings and reaching difficult-to-access areas, the final death toll remains uncertain.

The latest available reports indicate that more than 130 people have died, while hundreds have been injured. Authorities are continuing to verify casualty figures and collect information from affected communities.

The death toll and damage estimates could change over the coming hours and days, particularly as rescue teams reach rural and remote areas that may have suffered more damage than initially reported.

Authorities are also working to determine the full extent of damage to homes, public facilities, transportation networks and communications infrastructure.

Search and Rescue Operations Continue

Rescue workers and local residents remain active in affected areas, searching for survivors as authorities continue to warn about the possibility of additional aftershocks.

At the same time, the Colombian government is working to deliver essential supplies and medical assistance to affected communities and provide support to areas where roads and transportation networks have been damaged.

The coming hours will be crucial in determining the full scale of the disaster as search operations and damage assessments continue across western Colombia.

As government agencies and rescue teams maintain their response, Colombia awaits further updates on the number of victims and the extent of the destruction, while emergency workers continue efforts to assist thousands of people affected by the earthquake.

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Colombian authorities and international news agencies.