# Colombia earthquake disaster

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260816-colombia-earthquake-disaster
> Updated: 2026-08-16T06:45:43.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake, described as the most powerful in Colombia in a century, has caused widespread destruction, particularly in the cities of Cali and Pereira. The disaster has resulted in at least 294 deaths, nearly 4,000 injuries, and left approximately 320 people missing.

Individual stories of the tragedy have emerged during rescue efforts. Daniela Largo, a woman who became a national symbol of hope after being rescued from rubble in Pereira following 37 to 38 hours, later died in a hospital. 

In Cali, a lawyer named Lenny Ruiz Fernández died while attempting to shield her dog from a building collapse; rescuers found the pet alive beside her body. Her brother, Micael Ruiz Fernández, reported that she used her body as a shield to protect her 12-year-old dog, Salomón, who is blind and suffers from seizures. Salomón was among 205 pets rescued by emergency services following the disaster.

## Claims

- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on a Monday. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Lenny Ruiz Fernández, a lawyer, died while protecting her dog during the earthquake. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The dog, named Salomón, survived the collapse of the house in Cali. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Salomón is a 12-year-old dog that suffers from seizures and is blind. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Rescue services reported that 205 pets were rescued following the earthquake. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- At least 294 people died in the earthquake. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: Colombia earthquake: Lawyer dies protecting her dog

A lawyer in Colombia died during a 7.4 magnitude earthquake while shielding her blind, 12-year-old dog, Salomón, from a collapsing building in Cali. The dog was among 205 pets rescued.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-earthquake-woman-dies-protecting-dog-during-building-collapse-1

### 2026-08-12: Colombia earthquake: Woman rescued from rubble dies in hospital

Daniela Largo, a woman rescued after being trapped for 37 hours in earthquake rubble, has died. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia has left at least 294 dead and 320 missing.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-earthquake-survivor-rescued-after-38-hours-trapped

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Cite as: Colombia earthquake disaster. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260816-colombia-earthquake-disaster