7.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Chocó, Colombia

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near San José del Palmar, Chocó, on August 10, marking the strongest seismic event recorded in Colombia in the last decade. The tremor, centered at a depth of approximately 103 to 107 kilometers, was felt across multiple regions, including Bogotá, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, Quibdó, and Armenia, as well as in Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

The disaster has resulted in at least 132 deaths and approximately 570 injuries, according to reports from Asocapitales. Fatalities have been reported in Risaralda (40), Valle del Cauca (27), Chocó (9), Caldas (2), and Antioquia (1), with Pereira being the most severely impacted at 60 deaths. In Cali, the situation has intensified with reports of 35 deaths, approximately 700 injuries, and at least 188 missing persons. Damage in Cali includes the collapse of several buildings and hospitals, with roughly 5,000 homes affected.

Infrastructure damage is widespread, with over 1,500 residential buildings, 18 health facilities, and 52 educational institutions damaged or destroyed. At least 86 buildings have been reported as collapsed. Seven airports—including those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, Cali, and Buenaventura—have suspended commercial operations due to infrastructure damage.

In response, President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of national disaster and is personally overseeing relief efforts. The Colombian government has deployed search and rescue teams from Bogotá, Envigado, Yopal, and Medellín to locate individuals trapped under rubble. Major cities, including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, Manizales, and Armenia, remain under red alert as authorities assess damage to roads and public utilities. Since the initial quake, at least 18 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.4 to 4.8 have been recorded.