Colombia Shaken by 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake on August 10, 2026

On August 10, 2026 a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar, Chocó. The USGS listed a depth of 107 km; Colombian authorities later revised it to 96 km. The tremor was felt nationwide, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and as far as Ecuador and Panama.

PBS News HourHartford CourantCBC News

Buildings collapsed in several cities and flights were suspended at six western airports (Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura). Local officials confirmed 18 deaths in Pereira, two in Manizales, and additional losses in Cali and Quibdó. Reported casualty figures vary widely across outlets.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia, at least 21 dead! Dozens of buildings collapsed, children trapped under the rubble of a hospital

The quake follows recent large tremors in the region, such as the twin 7.2 and 7.5 events in Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Colombia’s seismic zone, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, rarely experiences quakes above magnitude 6.0; the last comparable Colombian event was the 1999 Armenia quake, which killed more than 1,100 people.

CBC NewsKJRH - Tulsa NewsTerrifying footage shows church collapse as huge 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Colombia, burying people beneath collapsed buildings, with dozens dead

• Magnitude: 7.4 (USGS, Colombian Geological Service)

PBS News Hour

• Depth: 96 km (Colombia) / 107 km (USGS)

PBS News Hour

• Reported deaths: 2 – 70+ (conflicting reports)

Colombia Reports At Least 70 Deaths After This Morning’s Earthquake

• Buildings collapsed: >= 20 in Cali, >= 20 in Manizales (including cathedral tower)

The Guardian

• Airports suspended: Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura

The Guardian

Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi of Chocó warned of injuries and significant building damage in Quibdó and announced an ongoing assessment. Mayor Alejandro Eder of Cali said at least 20 buildings had collapsed and that rescue teams from Bogotá and Medellín were deployed. Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas of Manizales confirmed two deaths and urged residents to stay outdoors pending aftershocks. Mayor Carlos Galán of Bogotá reported no serious structural damage in the capital.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

Residents described the shaking as unprecedented. In Manizales, a tower of the neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed onto the nave, trapping worshippers. Emergency crews in Cali and Pereira worked through rubble to locate survivors, while many citizens gathered in streets awaiting official information.

Hartford Courant

The death toll remains uncertain, with sources ranging from 2 to over 70 fatalities. Building-collapse numbers also vary, and airport damage assessments are ongoing. No comprehensive official casualty tally has been released as of the latest statements.

Colombia Reports At Least 70 Deaths After This Morning’s Earthquake

• “No serious structural damage has been reported in Bogotá, so our resources are at the service of the country,” — Carlos Galán, Bogotá mayor

Al Jazeera (website)

• “We have just experienced a major earthquake in the department of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo. We are already carrying out a damage assessment and will issue the first official report shortly,” — Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi, Chocó governor

WION