Story perspectives

Colombia's 7.4 Quake Kills 224, Declares Disaster

8/12/2026

Summary

President Declares Disaster

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a disaster and mobilized the military and police after the 7.4-magnitude quake.
The quake killed at least 224 people, injured over 2,600 and left more than 3,000 missing.
Rescue teams with engineers, search dogs and volunteers rescued survivors while flights were halted at six regional airports.
The United States pledged $15.5 million for relief.
The CAF and IDB together pledged $500,000 and $50 million for relief.

Summary

Authorities Open Shelters

The earthquake damaged 18 health centers, 52 schools and 17 community hubs in the western region.
The quake filled Cali’s morgue, overwhelmed the national morgue system, and damaged the Pascual Guerrero Stadium.
The earthquake broke 18 major roads, including the Cali-Loboguerrero and Buga-Buenaventura routes, and closed seven airports.
Authorities turned a baseball stadium in Cali and a basketball arena in Manizales into shelters for thousands.

Summary

Researchers Warn

The study warned that Colombian wall collapses were expected and urged revising standards.
Researchers measured walls at 7-10 cm thick with only a brittle electrowelded wire-mesh layer.
Current codes omit confinement steel, making reinforcement of such thin walls nearly impossible.
Shake-table tests were run at the Federal School of Technology in Lausanne.
The USGS classified the quake as a strike-slip event at 110 km depth, able to transfer stress to nearby faults.

History

Historical Context

On 19 September 1985 a magnitude-8.0 quake devastated Mexico City, killing at least 5,000 and collapsing 412 buildings, prompting President Miguel de la Madrid to deploy the army and later adopt stricter building codes. The 2024 magnitude-7.4 earthquake in Colombia, where President Abelardo de la Espriella also sent troops, reveals similar construction weaknesses, underscoring the lasting influence of Mexico’s post-1985 reforms.

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President Declares Disaster

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a disaster and mobilized the military and police after the 7.4-magnitude quake.
The quake killed at least 224 people, injured over 2,600 and left more than 3,000 missing.
Rescue teams with engineers, search dogs and volunteers rescued survivors while flights were halted at six regional airports.
The United States pledged $15.5 million for relief.
The CAF and IDB together pledged $500,000 and $50 million for relief.

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