Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Colombia Earthquake Kills Over 130 as Cali Hospital Collapses
A very strong earthquake happened in a country called Colombia.
An earthquake happens when the ground shakes very hard.
This earthquake was so strong that it knocked down buildings.
More than 130 people lost their lives, and many more were hurt.
A big hospital in the city of Cali lost three floors, and people had to be pulled out from under the rubble.
Doctors moved sick people outside into gardens and parking lots to keep them safe.
The president of Colombia asked the whole country to help.
Firefighters, soldiers and volunteers worked together to search for people trapped in the buildings.
Another country, the United States, is sending money to help.
People are working hard to rescue others and take care of everyone who was hurt.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing more than 130 people and injuring over 570.
Three floors of Cali's Hospital Universitario del Valle collapsed, damaging about 30 per cent of the facility, including pediatrics, internal medicine and parts of the neonatal unit.
At least 30 buildings in Cali collapsed and seven major health facilities were damaged or closed, putting the city's medical network on red alert.
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of emergency to speed up deployment of resources, emergency funding and military assistance.
The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency humanitarian assistance for the earthquake response.
- Who
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, Valle del Cauca Governor Dilian Francisca Toro, Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder, and rescue teams of firefighters, soldiers and volunteers.
- What
- A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed more than 130 people and injured over 570, causing major structural damage including the partial collapse of a major Cali hospital.
- When
- Shortly after 7:30 am local time.
- Where
- Western Colombia, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Pacific region of Chocó; worst-hit areas include Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Chocó, with tremors felt in Bogotá, Ecuador and Venezuela.
- Why
- The powerful earthquake destroyed buildings and infrastructure, trapping people under rubble, overwhelming hospitals and prompting emergency and international rescue responses.
- Earthquake magnitude
- 7.4
- Epicentre
- Near San José del Palmar, Chocó, Pacific region of Colombia
- Death toll
- More than 130, expected to rise
- People injured
- Over 570
- Damaged hospital
- Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali - three floors collapsed, about 30% of infrastructure damaged
- Buildings collapsed in Cali
- At least 30
- Health facilities closed in Cali
- At least seven major facilities damaged or closed
- US emergency aid
- $15.5 million