Colombia earthquake kills at least 132 people and triggers national emergency FAST-MOVING
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The tremor, which was felt in neighboring Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela, is being described by geological authorities as the strongest recorded in the country in the 21st century.
Preliminary reports indicate at least 132 deaths and over 570 injuries. The most severe damage has been reported in the Risaralda region, particularly in Pereira, and in the Valle del Cauca province. In Cali, authorities have reported significant building collapses and have implemented a curfew and militarization to maintain order. The earthquake has also caused structural damage to at least 18 health centers, 52 schools, and approximately 1,575 homes.
In response to the disaster, President Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed office only days prior, declared a national state of emergency to expedite relief and reconstruction funds. The international community has mobilized quickly: the United States has pledged $15.5 million in emergency aid for food, shelter, and damage assessment, while the European Union has activated the Copernicus satellite service to assist rescue operations. Other nations, including Mexico, Chile, and El Salvador, have also offered humanitarian support.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Cali · Chocó · Colombia · Copernicus · European Union · San José del Palmar · U.S. Geological Survey · US Geological Survey · United States · United States Geological Survey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least 61 buildings have collapsed following the earthquake. www.newsbeast.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · cafef.vn
- [● 18 SOURCES] The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4. www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.newsbeast.gr · www.protothema.gr · www.elcomercio.com · www.peoplenews.tw · +13 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The United States is providing $15.5 million in emergency aid to Colombia. www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.newsbeast.gr · www.protothema.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · www.elcomercio.com · +6 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The United States intends to announce a $1 billion aid package for the government of Abelardo de la Espriella. wiadomosci.onet.pl
- [● 13 SOURCES] The Colombian government has declared a state of national disaster. www.newsbeast.gr · www.protothema.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · cafef.vn · samoaglobalnews.com · +8 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The earthquake's epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, Chocó. www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.elcomercio.com · english.gossiplankanews.com · thesheffieldpress.com · soha.vn · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] This is the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the last decade. wiadomosci.onet.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least 111 people have died and 87 people have been injured as a result of the earthquake. www.newsbeast.gr · www.protothema.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl
- [● 5 SOURCES] 18 health centers have been damaged. www.tvn-2.com · www.diarioextra.com · articles.thelocalreport.in · english.gossiplankanews.com · cafef.vn
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least 61 buildings have completely collapsed. www.tvn-2.com · articles.thelocalreport.in · cafef.vn
- [● 13 SOURCES] A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. afamily.vn · thesheffieldpress.com · www.tvn-2.com · www.diarioextra.com · samoaglobalnews.com · +8 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] At least 111 people have died as a result of the earthquake. afamily.vn · thesheffieldpress.com · samoaglobalnews.com · articles.thelocalreport.in · tienphong.vn · +4 more