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Colombia earthquake kills hundreds and triggers national disaster declaration FAST-MOVING
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. The disaster has caused widespread devastation, particularly in the Valle del Cauca and Risaralda departments.
Official figures from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) report at least 239 deaths, 3,755 injuries, and 287 people missing. The earthquake has affected over 24,000 families and damaged or destroyed approximately 9,215 homes and 140 buildings. Critical infrastructure, including 188 hospitals, 1,667 schools, and several airports, has sustained significant damage. The Matecaña International Airport in Pereira remains closed to commercial flights due to structural issues.
President Abelardo De la Espriella has declared a national disaster and three days of national mourning. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with volunteers and military personnel working to locate survivors among the rubble.
International aid is mobilizing. The United States has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, and the European Union is providing 2 million euros in support. Mexico has dispatched humanitarian supplies and has 255 specialists on standby for deployment. The United Nations, through UNICEF, is also providing essential water and sanitation supplies to affected regions like Chocó and Buenaventura.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Aerocivil · Aeronáutica Civil · Asocapitales · Cali · Chocó · Claudia Sheinbaum · Colombia · Donald Trump · El Salvador · Elsa Noguera · European Union
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 600 people were injured in the earthquake. elcorresponsalweb.com.ar · ewtn.de
- [● 8 SOURCES] The EU activated its consular assistance mechanism for affected EU citizens.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The EU has mobilized its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue operations.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The European Commission is cooperating with the German Red Cross on the ground.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The European Union allocated 100,000 euros in initial emergency aid to Colombia.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The earthquake resulted in at least 224 deaths.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The earthquake caused 165 buildings to collapse.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The United States has pledged 15.5 million dollars in support.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The airports in Cali, Quibdó, and Armenia have resumed operations.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] LATAM set fare caps for flights to Cali, Armenia, and Pereira.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There are over 2.2 million insured properties in Colombia against earthquakes.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] LATAM cancelled 49 flights affecting approximately 7,657 passengers.