A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, killing at least 22 people and damaging buildings across several cities as rescue crews searched through debris for possible survivors.
The earthquake was centered near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The area is roughly 173 miles west of Bogotá. The USGS separately lists the event as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake near San José del Palmar.
The death toll was changing rapidly as authorities received reports from affected communities. CNN’s live coverage initially reported at least 20 deaths, while Reuters later reported that at least 22 people had been killed.
Pereira Among the Hardest-Hit Cities
Some of the most dramatic destruction was reported in Pereira, where buildings collapsed and emergency crews searched damaged areas.
CNN reported video showing a four-story building collapsing following the earthquake. People could be seen running as debris fell onto a street where fruit vendors had been operating.
Earlier reports said at least 18 deaths had occurred in Pereira, according to Mayor Mauricio Salazar. At least two additional deaths had been reported in Manizales at that stage of the emergency.
Reuters subsequently confirmed that the overall death toll had climbed to at least 22 as reports continued arriving from across western Colombia.
Children Among Those Killed
The tragedy extended well beyond Pereira.
In Valle del Cauca, four people were reported killed, including three children. The children died after a wall collapsed in the municipality of Calima El Darién. Another person died in Zarzal, according to Governor Dilian Francisca Toro.
In Antioquia, Governor Andrés Julián Rendón reported that a 73-year-old man died after being struck by a falling rock in Támesis.
Damage was also reported in Chocó. Officials said there were injured people and severe building damage in Quibdó, the regional capital.
Powerful Shaking Captured on Video
Videos emerging from Colombia showed the extraordinary force of the earthquake.
At Matecaña International Airport in Pereira, travelers rushed for cover while debris fell around them.
Another video from Pereira showed the facade of Iglesia San José partially collapsing while trees and power lines shook violently. People outside the church could be seen reacting as the ground moved beneath them.
The earthquake was felt far beyond the immediate epicenter.
Residents in Bogotá evacuated buildings and moved into the streets as alarms sounded. Despite the strong shaking, city officials reported no serious structural damage in the capital during the initial assessment.
The shaking was even felt in parts of neighboring Venezuela. Officials there began inspecting infrastructure in Táchira and Zulia. Initial reports from Táchira indicated no deaths or serious damage.
Massive Rescue Operation Begins
Colombian authorities quickly mobilized rescue teams.
Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said 100 rescuers were prepared to travel to the country’s hardest-hit communities.
The Colombian Army also deployed five platoons with specialized search-and-rescue capabilities. Teams were equipped to search collapsed structures and included trained search dogs.
International assistance was also being offered. CNN reported that leaders from the United States, South America, Europe and the Middle East had pledged support for Colombia’s rescue effort.
Death Toll Could Continue to Change
The situation remained fluid Monday as authorities attempted to reach damaged communities and determine the full scale of the disaster.
The initial CNN report warned that the U.S. Geological Survey expected significant casualties and damage.
Independent reporting later confirmed that the death toll had risen beyond CNN’s earlier figure. Reuters reported at least 22 deaths, with collapsed buildings reported in several cities.
With rescue crews still searching damaged structures and officials continuing assessments across western Colombia, the number of casualties and the extent of the destruction could change as additional information becomes available.
For Colombia, the immediate priority is now finding survivors, treating the injured and determining how many homes and buildings are no longer safe to occupy.
Add comment