A 7.4-magnitude earthquake rattled western Colombia on Monday, inflicting widespread destruction and leaving no less than 111 individuals useless.
Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, who was sworn into workplace simply days earlier than the catastrophe struck the nation, stated in a put up on X on Monday morning that he had “immediately assumed management of the emergency response.” In one other put up that morning, he stated that he was touring to the nation’s capital, Bogotá, “to concentrate on addressing the emergency dealing with our nation.”
“To the Colombians who’re going by troublesome occasions in the present day, I need to say: you aren’t alone,” he stated. “You will have a President who cares deeply for his individuals and who will do every thing vital to guard you, help you, and transfer ahead collectively in rebuilding the affected areas.”
Right here’s what to know concerning the earthquake.
When and the place did the earthquake occur?
The epicenter of the earthquake was close to San José del Palmar, which is a group west of the nation’s capital that has a inhabitants of 5,000 and is situated within the Chocó area. Different cities close by, together with Pereira, Manizales, and Cali, have been impacted, too.
Neighboring nations, together with Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, additionally felt the quake.
The harm sustained by the Manizales Cathedral are pictured after the earthquake in Manizales, Colombia, on Aug. 10, 2026. Andres Valencia—AFP/Getty Photos
How sturdy was the earthquake?
USGS reported that the earthquake that struck Colombia had a 7.4 magnitude. “Magnitude” signifies the scale of a quake—one with a 5.3 magnitude, for example, is a “reasonable” quake, whereas one with a 6.3 is taken into account “sturdy,” in line with USGS. The back-to-back quakes that shook Venezuela in June and left greater than 6,000 individuals useless every had a magnitude above 7.
The Colombian Geological Service reported that the quake had a depth of about 103 km, along with its 7.4 magnitude, “making it the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia within the final decade.” The company additionally stated that two aftershocks—with magnitudes of two.8 and 4.8—have been recorded up to now on Monday
What’s the loss of life toll?
The catastrophe in Colombia left no less than 111 individuals useless, in line with the AP. Nearly all of the deaths reported up to now occurred within the area of Risaralda—the capital of which is Pereira—the place no less than 40 individuals have been killed, the AP reported. Authorities stated that no less than 27 extra individuals have been killed within the close by area of Valle del Cauca.
De La Espriella stated on Monday that no less than 87 individuals have been wounded by the quake, the AP reported.
A police officer walks amid the particles of a broken business retailer after the earthquake in Manizales, Colombia, on Aug. 10, 2026. Jonh Bonilla—AFP/Getty Photos
What harm has been reported?
The entire extent of the harm attributable to the earthquake will not be but clear hours after it hit, however movies and photographs shared by information shops confirmed buildings in a number of cities collapsing and being destroyed by the catastrophe.
Native officers stated that that they had acquired reviews of many individuals trapped below buildings that had collapsed.
The Worldwide Rescue Committee (IRC) stated that its groups are monitoring the scenario.
“Our groups close to the epicenter in Chocó are reporting damages to infrastructure, together with to hospitals and clinics,” Nicole Kast, IRC’s Nation Director for Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador, stated in an announcement. “Impacted communities have been already dealing with armed battle and excessive ranges of poverty earlier than the bottom started to shake. The IRC is monitoring the scenario and stands able to scale up its response as the total extent of the destruction turns into clear.”
Colombia’s civil aviation authority stated in a put up on X on Monday morning that it had acquired reviews of injury at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura, and that operations there have been being suspended “for security causes” till the harm had been assessed.
An aged lady is carried on furnishings close to a collapsed constructing after an earthquake in Cali, Colombia, on Aug. 10, 2026. Joaquin Sarmiento—AFP/Getty Photos
Is there a tsunami menace after the earthquake?
Whereas earthquakes can generally set off tsunamis, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System stated on Monday that there was no warning, advisory, watch, or menace for a tsunami after the earthquake in Colombia.
