Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Colombia Quake Kills 241; Rescue Crews Hunt Survivors
A very big earthquake shook western Colombia, and it was the strongest one the country had felt in a hundred years.
It was so powerful that homes, apartment buildings, offices and even part of a hospital fell down.
At least 241 people died and more than 1,670 were hurt.
Rescuers, soldiers and volunteers worked hard to find people stuck under the rubble, using cranes, sniffer dogs, heavy machines and even their own hands.
They made human chains to pass pieces of broken concrete, and they stopped to listen for whistles or taps from survivors.
In one rescue, a man and a baby were pulled out of a collapsed building, but the man's wife was still trapped.
Many families lost their homes and slept in parks with tents and mattresses.
The president of Colombia declared a state of emergency and promised to help families pay rent, while the United States sent $15.5 million in aid and people donated water, food and blood.
Rescue crews kept searching through the ruins, hoping to find more survivors.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake, Colombia's strongest in a century, killed at least 241 people in western Colombia.
More than 1,670 people were injured, according to a tally by municipal authorities.
Rescuers, soldiers and volunteers searched collapsed buildings in Pereira and Cali using cranes, dogs, human chains and heavy machinery.
Part of the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali collapsed, reducing its capacity from 590 to 350 patients.
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and promised rent subsidies, while the United States pledged $15.5 million in aid.
- Who
- Rescuers, soldiers, volunteers, firefighters and survivors in Pereira and Cali; President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency.
- What
- A 7.4-magnitude earthquake, Colombia's strongest in a century, killed at least 241 people, injured more than 1,670 and collapsed buildings across western Colombia.
- When
- Rescue efforts were continuing on Tuesday in the earthquake's aftermath; no exact date of the quake was given.
- Where
- Western Colombia, especially the cities of Pereira and Cali.
- Why
- The powerful earthquake and aftershocks toppled buildings, trapping people and destroying homes, hospitals and entire neighborhoods.
- Magnitude
- 7.4
- Death toll
- At least 241
- Injured
- More than 1,670
- Affected areas
- Pereira and Cali, western Colombia
- Significance
- Strongest earthquake in Colombia in a century
- US emergency aid
- $15.5 million
- Government response
- State of emergency declared; rent subsidies promised
- Hospital impact
- Hospital Universitario del Valle capacity reduced from 590 to 350 patients
