Archive · 10 Aug 2026
7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Western Colombia, Killing Dozens
An earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes.
On Monday, a very big earthquake hit Colombia, a country in South America.
The earthquake had a 7.4 magnitude, which makes it extremely strong.
Buildings fell down in several cities, and sadly some people died.
The shaking started deep underground, near a small town called San Jose Del Palmar.
That town has about 4,800 people and sits about 400 kilometres from Colombia's capital, Bogota.
People in nearby countries, like Ecuador and Panama, felt the shaking too.
Different reports say different numbers of people died — some say at least 20, while another says at least 47.
Rescue workers searched through broken buildings to help people who were trapped.
Colombia's president, Abelardo de la Espriella, said the government is present and taking action to help.
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Western Colombia on Monday, collapsing dozens of buildings and trapping residents under debris.
The epicentre was in San Jose Del Palmar, a community of about 4,800 people in the Choco region, roughly 400 kilometres west of Bogota.
Casualty reports conflict: some sources say at least 20 people were killed, while another report says at least 47 died.
Officials confirmed 18 deaths in Pereira, two in Manizales, and 27 in the Valle de Cauca department, where Cali is located.
The quake struck at a depth of about 107 kilometres, was felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, and authorities warned of possible aftershocks.
- Who
- Victims included at least 18 people in Pereira and two in Manizales; Pereira Mayor Mauricio Salazar called the situation 'critical', and President Abelardo de la Espriella took charge of the emergency response.
- What
- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Western Colombia, collapsing dozens of buildings and killing between at least 20 and at least 47 people depending on the source.
- When
- Monday, with one social media report dating the event to August 10, 2026.
- Where
- Western Colombia; the epicentre was in San Jose Del Palmar, Choco region, about 400 kilometres west of Bogota, and tremors were felt in Ecuador and Panama.
- Why
- The strong quake, which struck at a depth of about 107 kilometres, caused widespread building collapses that trapped and killed residents.
- Magnitude
- 7.4
- Epicentre
- San Jose Del Palmar, Choco region
- Depth
- About 107 kilometres (USGS)
- Distance from Bogota
- About 400 kilometres west
- Reported death toll
- At least 20 (some sources); at least 47 (another report)
- Confirmed deaths by area
- 18 in Pereira, 2 in Manizales, 27 in Valle de Cauca
- Also felt in
- Ecuador and Panama
- Situation
- 'Critical', per Pereira Mayor Mauricio Salazar
