Story perspectives

7.4 Earthquake Collapses Buenaventura Building, Kills Four

8/15/2026

Summary

Residents Fear

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday caused a five-storey building in Buenaventura to collapse, killing four people.
The quake killed an estimated 287 people nationwide, including about 19 in Buenaventura.
Resident Lorena Hipis said municipal, state and national authorities have not arrived to help repair her damaged home.
Residents fear aid will prioritize larger cities such as Pereira and Cali over poorer Buenaventura.

Summary

President Reports

President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 265 people are dead, nearly 500 missing, and civilian casualties exceed 4,100.
U.N. resident coordinator María José Torres said humanitarian teams in Chocó quickly pivoted to quake relief.
The U.S. State Department announced that disaster-response teams arrived in Colombia on Monday.
Authorities turned sports arenas, schools and other public buildings into shelters for thousands of displaced families.

Summary

Escobar expands care

University Hospital of Valle Evaristo Garcia in Cali sustained roughly 50 % structural damage, rendering half the building unsafe.
Public health secretary German Escobar announced expansion zones using idle operating rooms and field clinics to absorb patients.
City officials placed a red alert on Monday after all public hospitals reached full capacity.
The Incident Command System coordinated agencies and NGOs like SARES, whose logistics chief Enrique Zapata said teams mobilised within hours.

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Residents Fear

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday caused a five-storey building in Buenaventura to collapse, killing four people.
The quake killed an estimated 287 people nationwide, including about 19 in Buenaventura.
Resident Lorena Hipis said municipal, state and national authorities have not arrived to help repair her damaged home.
Residents fear aid will prioritize larger cities such as Pereira and Cali over poorer Buenaventura.

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