Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Colombia's strongest earthquake this century kills at least 132
On Monday morning, a very big earthquake shook western Colombia.
An earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes and rumbles, and this one was extremely strong — scientists measured it at magnitude 7.4.
The shaking started near a small town called San José del Palmar but was felt far away, even in other countries like Ecuador and Venezuela.
Many buildings fell down, and some people were trapped underneath the rubble.
Sadly, people lost their lives, though the reports disagree about how many — some said at least 2, others at least 111, and the latest reports say at least 132.
Rescue workers came from different cities and carefully moved broken concrete and bricks to search for survivors.
The president of Colombia, who had just started his job a few days earlier, declared a national disaster so help could arrive quickly.
Airports were closed for a short time so engineers could check that they were safe, and some cities had a nighttime curfew.
Officials said there was no danger of a tsunami, the giant ocean wave, but they warned people to watch for smaller shakes called aftershocks.
Other countries, including the United States, offered money, supplies, and rescue help.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, centered near San José del Palmar in Chocó, and Colombia's geological service called it the strongest quake recorded in the country this century.
Reported death tolls conflict: early reports said at least two died, later reports said at least 111, and the latest accounts say at least 132; injuries were reported as 87 in some accounts and 570 in others.
Pereira, in the coffee-growing Risaralda department, was the hardest-hit city with at least 40 deaths reported locally (60 per the Colombian Association of Capital Cities), 65 collapsed buildings, and people feared trapped in 15 of them.
President Abelardo de la Espriella, sworn in just days before the quake, declared a national disaster; the U.S. pledged $15.5 million in aid and the European Union activated its Copernicus satellite service.
Operations were suspended at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura pending structural checks, a curfew was imposed in Cali and part of Pereira, and the U.S. tsunami warning system said there was no tsunami threat.
- Who
- President Abelardo de la Espriella; Pereira Mayor Mauricio Salazar; Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder; Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba; rescue workers and residents of western Colombia.
- What
- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, collapsing buildings and trapping people; reported death tolls range from at least two to at least 132.
- When
- Monday, August 10, at about 7:34 a.m. local time.
- Where
- Western Colombia; epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó; tremors felt in Bogotá, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.
- Why
- The articles do not state a specific cause; Colombia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of major seismic activity.
- Magnitude
- 7.4 (revised upward by Colombia's geological service)
- Epicenter
- Near San José del Palmar, Chocó department
- Depth
- Reports conflict: 96 km, 103 km, 107 km or 110 km
- Reported deaths
- Reports conflict: at least 2, at least 111, and at least 132
- Reported injuries
- 87 per some reports; 570 per the Colombian Association of Capital Cities
- Building damage
- About 1,600 structures affected; 61 collapsed entirely; the president reported 1,577 homes damaged and 37 destroyed
- Flights suspended
- Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura
- International aid
- $15.5 million from the U.S.; EU activated Copernicus; El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Israel and France offered help
Sources
At least two dead after Colombia earthquake, others trapped
World News Updates: More than 100 dead and buildings collapsed after 7.4-magnitude quake
Colombia quake kills over 100, becomes country’s strongest earthquake this century
Colombia Earthquake: Death Toll Rises To 132 After Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Quake; Rescue Operations Intensify Amid Aftershock Fears, 570 Injured | Video
