Over 130 killed, several missing as massive earthquake of 7.4 magnitude jolts Columbia, President decalres emergency
PTC News Desk: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia, causing widespread damage and triggering urgent rescue operations. At least 132 people have died and around 570 others have been injured, making it the strongest earthquake to hit the South American country this century.
Rescue teams and local residents continued searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings for survivors. The death toll could rise further, as the Colombian Geological Service has warned that more tremors could occur.
Massive destruction
The earthquake struck only days after President Abelardo De La Espriella took office, putting his new government in its first major crisis. The disaster also brought back memories of the devastating earthquakes that hit neighbouring Venezuela in June.
President De La Espriella said at least 1,575 homes, 18 health centres and 52 schools were damaged. The earthquake was followed by 21 aftershocks, while at least 61 buildings completely collapsed. The president declared an emergency to speed up funding and relief efforts.
The earthquake's epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar, a town of around 4,800 people in the Choco region, about 400 km west of the capital Bogota. The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred at a depth of 107 km. Tremors were also felt in neighbouring Ecuador.
Visuals
Videos shared by local media showed houses and small buildings collapsing in Pereira, Cali and Quibdo. In Manizales, one of the towers of a historic neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed, sending debris onto nearby streets.
JUST IN: At least 111 killed, 87 injured after 7.4 M earthquake in Colombia; 1,575 homes damaged — President de la Espriella pic.twitter.com/xgf8bgdPgj — Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) August 10, 2026
Small earthquakes, locally known as "temblores", are common in central and western Colombia, but quakes stronger than magnitude 6 are rare. A magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Armenia in the past killed more than 1,100 people.
????????????BREAKING: Apocalyptic scenes in Colombia as the Cathedral in Manizales collapses under the force of the earthquake.
People watch in fear and disbelief as the towers of one of Colombia’s oldest Christian cathedrals come crashing down.
Pray for Colombia.… — Mario ZNA (@MarioBojic) August 10, 2026
After the disaster, President De La Espriella said he had taken direct control of the government's emergency response in San Jose del Palmar. Rescue workers continued their search as authorities assessed the full extent of the destruction.
Colombia rescuers DIG OUT MONTHS-OLD BABY from BUILDING RUBBLE after 7.4 earthquake https://t.co/bo29pen6PM pic.twitter.com/vW1xXlt0Wj — RT (@RT_com) August 10, 2026
- With inputs from agencies
