A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on the morning of August 10, 2026, at 7:34 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located near the municipality of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, at an intermediate depth of approximately 96 to 110 kilometers. Colombian authorities confirmed it as the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the past decade.
The quake was widely felt across Colombia, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Armenia, as well as in parts of neighboring Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. Shaking lasted for an extended period in many areas. It was followed by aftershocks, including one of approximately magnitude 5.0.
Significant structural damage and building collapses occurred in multiple cities. In Pereira and the surrounding Risaralda department, dozens of structures were affected, including partial damage to Matecaña International Airport; local authorities reported the highest concentration of fatalities in this area. In Cali and Valle del Cauca, around 20 to 30 buildings collapsed or suffered severe damage, with people trapped under rubble. In Manizales, one of the towers of the cathedral partially collapsed, and multiple homes and buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged. Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, also reported injuries and significant building damage.
As of early afternoon on August 10, local officials and media reports indicated a death toll of at least 70 to 80 people, with the highest numbers in Risaralda (around 40) and Valle del Cauca (around 27). The figures continued to rise as rescue teams worked. Hundreds of injuries were also reported. Several airports, including those in Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, Quibdó, Cartago, and Buenaventura, suspended commercial operations for structural assessments.
The Colombian government declared a national disaster situation to coordinate emergency response and resource allocation. Search-and-rescue operations remain active in the most affected areas, with people still unaccounted for under collapsed structures. Power and communications disruptions were reported in some locations. No tsunami threat was issued.
This description is based on official statements from the Colombian Geological Service, local governors and mayors, and major international news agencies.
Here is a video with real scenes from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia:
