A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó on August 10, 2026, at a depth of approximately 88 to 110 kilometers [4][12][13][18]. The Colombian Geological Service registered the quake as the highest-magnitude earthquake in Colombia in the last decade [3][23]. Death tolls reported across sources ranged from 69 to 132, with President Abelardo De La Espriella confirming 111 dead and 87 injured as of midday local time [8][32], while Asocapitales later reported at least 132 dead and 570 injured [11][12][30]. The quake was felt across Colombia and in neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama [5][18].

President De La Espriella, inaugurated days before the disaster, declared a national state of emergency and stated that "the national government has all of its capabilities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever it is needed" [7][9][31]. He ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post in San José del Palmar, requested a detailed report from the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, and announced he would personally travel to Pereira [11][15][35]. Several international and regional media outlets, including El Tiempo, Infobae, Japan Today, and Prothom Alo, framed the disaster response as the first major leadership test for the newly sworn-in president, with some noting his political alignment with the Trump administration [13][16][17][20].

Local officials across multiple affected cities reported casualties and damage that exceeded their immediate response capacity. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that at least 20 to 30 structures had collapsed with people trapped inside and requested rescue personnel from the mayors of Bogotá and Medellín [2][8][9][12][32]. Pereira Mayor Mauricio Salazar reported 18 deaths initially, later rising to at least 55, and described the situation as critical, with nearly 60 buildings completely collapsed [2][9][12][34]. Manizales Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas reported two to four deaths and urged residents to stay outside due to aftershock risk [2][8][14][15]. Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba reported 12 dead and 84 injured in her department, with serious building damage in the capital Quibdó and communication problems [8][42]. León Fabio Marín, mayor of San José del Palmar at the epicenter, reported 10 collapsed houses but no loss of life, and requested economic aid from the central government, stating: "Somos un municipio demasiado pobre y donde los recursos son muy pocos" (We are a very poor municipality where resources are very scarce) [12].

International governments and multilateral institutions extended condolences and pledged concrete support. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the Trump administration was "closely monitoring the large earthquake that struck Colombia and stands ready to support the people of Colombia," with the US pledging $15.5 million in emergency aid [8][14][17]. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated "Tonight, Europe's heart is with the people of Colombia" and announced the EU had mobilized its Copernicus satellite service to assist rescue operations [8][32]. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum offered "nuestra solidaridad y todo el apoyo que requieran" (our solidarity and all the support they need) [11]. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity and stated Brazil "permanece à disposição da Colômbia para prestar o apoio necessário" (remains available to Colombia to provide necessary support) [27]. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa offered a USAR rescue team with 47 professionals, specialized dogs, and equipment [38]. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele offered rescue teams, doctors, paramedics, and supplies [30][38]. UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq stated the UN was "ready to help as needed," with multiple agencies — WFP, PAHO, IOM, UNFPA, and UNHCR — expressing readiness to assist [17][24]. CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados announced a $500,000 donation for urgent humanitarian needs [47].

Seismologists and geologists explained that the quake's powerful magnitude, inland location, and strike-slip motion contributed to the severity of surface damage despite its considerable depth. Northwestern University seismologist Suzan van der Lee stated: "This one was far below the crust, and in theory it shouldn't cause as much shaking. At this magnitude, it did actually cause a lot of shaking" [7][31]. University of Los Andes geosciences professor Rodrigo Alejandro León stated the quake occurred between 90 and 110 km depth, which reduced damage compared to a shallower event, and warned of a long sequence of aftershocks [12]. Colombian Geological Service Director Julio Fierro Morales stated the quake had a depth of approximately 88 kilometers and involved different tectonic dynamics than recent earthquakes in Venezuela, clarifying there was no tectonic link between the two events [13][34].

Structural engineering experts attributed building collapses primarily to informal, non-code-compliant construction. Marisol Nemocón Ruiz, director of the Civil Engineering Program at Universidad Católica de Colombia, stated: "Las viviendas en Colombia no están preparadas para eventos sísmicos. De manera especial porque existe la cultura de realizar construcciones sin ningún tipo de normatividad y muchas son levantadas por personas que no son ingenieros civiles" (Housing in Colombia is not prepared for seismic events. Especially because there is a culture of construction without any type of regulation and many are built by people who are not civil engineers) [36]. Víctor Naynn Piñeros, a structures professor at Uniagraria, explained that buildings constructed under the NSR-10 seismic code are designed to protect lives and avoid collapse, but self-built homes without engineering design face much higher risk [36].

Humanitarian organizations warned that the earthquake compounded pre-existing vulnerability in affected regions. International Rescue Committee Country Director Nicole Kast stated: "Local communities were already facing armed conflict and high levels of poverty long before the ground began to shake. Chocó, at the epicenter of the quake, is the poorest region in the country" [22]. IFRC operations manager Edwin Armenta identified shelter, clean water, and sanitation as urgent needs, and noted difficulties reaching affected communities due to damaged roads and internet outages [7]. The UN reported limited connectivity in rural areas hindering full damage assessment, with UNFPA specifically warning of increased risks of gender-based violence [24].

Eyewitnesses and rescuers described the destruction and improvised rescue efforts. Cali resident Juan Carlos Osorio described a building collapse sounding "like a bomb" and said neighbors formed human chains to remove debris [9]. Firefighter Mauricio Andrade in Cali reported rescuing two women and two children from a collapsed building [7][31]. Rescue volunteer Carmen Yasmin Garcia described hearing scratching sounds from trapped survivors, stating: "The more people lending a hand the better" [7]. Firefighter Danilo Prada ordered "¡Silencio total!" (Total silence!) on a debris pile to listen for survivors [12][40]. In Pereira, administrative worker Jaime Zuluaga reported that many buildings sustained damage, traffic was paralyzed, and people feared returning home due to aftershocks [33]. Community leader Luis Gregorio Moreno in Quibdó stated: "We are all devastated... what there is most of is missing people" [33].

Authorities imposed curfews and deployed additional security forces amid looting concerns. President De La Espriella pledged 1,000 additional security personnel for Cali [7][14]. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder was reported to have imposed a curfew and militarized several points in the city [12]. Hospitals in Cali declared a red alert and reached 100% capacity, with four major medical centers evacuated, including the Hospital Universitario del Valle, which suffered a partial collapse with ICU patients trapped [37][49]. Valle del Cauca Governor Dilian Francisca Toro confirmed collapsed sectors and people trapped at the hospital, with Army and emergency teams working on evacuations [49].

Rescue operations continued across affected cities as aftershocks persisted, with 21 aftershocks recorded following the main quake [17]. Six regional airports suspended operations [2][23]. The president's declaration of a national disaster created special powers to reallocate budgets [30]. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán opened six collection points for donations and announced Bogotá was preparing to send 100 rescuers and debris removal equipment [12][16].