Bogota, Aug 2026 : A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 82 people and causing widespread destruction across several cities, as rescue teams continued searching collapsed buildings for survivors.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region at a depth of about 107 kilometres. The strong tremor was felt across large parts of Colombia and also reached neighbouring Ecuador.
The earthquake caused significant damage in cities including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales. Pereira and the surrounding Risaralda region reported the highest number of fatalities, while authorities continued to assess the full scale of the destruction. In Manizales, one of the towers of the historic neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed, adding to concerns over damage to heritage structures.
Several buildings collapsed in Cali, while Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, also reported deaths, injuries and structural damage. Emergency teams were deployed to affected areas as authorities warned that the casualty figures could change as rescue operations continue.
The earthquake also disrupted critical infrastructure. Multiple airports in western Colombia were temporarily closed for inspections after sustaining damage, forcing authorities to suspend flight operations in affected areas. Power and communication networks were disrupted in several locations, while residents in Bogotá and other cities evacuated buildings as precautionary measures.
Newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella suspended his scheduled activities and took charge of the national emergency response. The government activated emergency coordination mechanisms to assess damage, mobilise rescue teams and provide immediate assistance to affected communities.
Officials said rescue operations remained the immediate priority, with emergency personnel searching through rubble for people who may still be trapped. Authorities were also monitoring the possibility of aftershocks, which could further damage weakened structures and complicate rescue efforts.
The earthquake was one of the most significant seismic events to hit Colombia in years. The country experiences frequent seismic activity because of its geological setting, although earthquakes of this magnitude are considerably less common.
The disaster has placed an immediate challenge before the newly installed government as it coordinates rescue, relief and infrastructure assessments across multiple affected regions.
With emergency operations continuing, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious around damaged buildings and follow instructions issued by local emergency agencies. The government is expected to conduct detailed assessments of infrastructure, transportation networks and public facilities as rescue operations give way to relief and reconstruction efforts.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
