Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Colombia earthquake kills 132; US pledges $15.5 million aid
A very strong earthquake, called a 7.4 magnitude quake, shook the country of Colombia.
It happened early in the morning, just after 7:30.
The shaking was so strong that many buildings fell down and more than 1,500 were damaged.
At least 132 people died and 570 people were hurt.
Rescue workers and volunteers are searching through the broken buildings to find people who might still be inside.
In the city of Cali, they were able to pull a man and a baby out of a collapsed building.
Colombia's president, Abelardo de la Espriella, said the country would move forward together.
The United States is sending $15.5 million to help with rescue and recovery.
People in some cities are staying out of their homes because they are afraid of more shaking, called aftershocks.
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's coffee-growing region and Pacific coast shortly after 7:30 am local time, killing at least 132 people and injuring 570.
The US announced $15.5 million in emergency aid on Monday (Aug 10), three days after President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.
President de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and hospitals were placed on red alert as rescue teams searched collapsed buildings.
More than 1,500 buildings were damaged; in Cali, volunteers and firefighters pulled a man and a baby from a collapsed multi-storey building.
The death toll rose from an initial 111, and authorities warned it could climb further as searches for survivors continued.
- Who
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US State Department, and rescue workers and volunteers across affected cities.
- What
- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's coffee-growing region and Pacific coast, killing at least 132 people, injuring 570, and damaging more than 1,500 buildings; the US pledged $15.5 million in emergency aid.
- When
- Shortly after 7:30 am local time (12:30 GMT); the US aid was announced on Monday, Aug 10, three days after President de la Espriella took office.
- Where
- Colombia's coffee-growing region and Pacific coast, including Cali, Manizales, Quibdo, and Bogota.
- Why
- The earthquake was a natural disaster, and the US announced aid to support Colombia's emergency response and rescue efforts.
- Earthquake magnitude
- 7.4
- Death toll
- At least 132, up from an initial 111
- Injured
- 570
- Buildings damaged
- More than 1,500
- US emergency aid
- $15.5 million
- Aid announced
- Monday, Aug 10, three days after the president took office
- Strike time
- Shortly after 7:30 am local time (12:30 GMT)
- State of emergency
- Declared by President Abelardo de la Espriella
