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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 10, 2026Miami-Dade

President Abelardo de la Espriella declares emergency following 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 111 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and widespread structural damage across multiple cities. President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national emergency to expedite recovery funding, while the U.S. government has pledged $15.5 million in aid.

earthquakedisaster reliefColombiaemergency responseinfrastructure
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Why It Matters

The earthquake is the strongest recorded in Colombia this century, causing significant loss of life and infrastructure damage that has triggered a national emergency response and international aid efforts.

Key Facts

  • A 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred on Monday with an epicenter in San Jose Del Palmar, Choco region.
  • At least 111 people are confirmed dead.
  • At least 87 people are injured.
  • Approximately 1,600 buildings were damaged, with at least 61 confirmed to have completely collapsed.
  • The U.S. State Department pledged $15.5 million in emergency aid.
  • The earthquake was followed by 21 aftershocks.
  • Airports in Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Pereira were suspended.
  • Death toll distribution: 40 in Risaralda, 27 in Valle del Cauca, 9 in Choco, 2 in Caldas, 1 in Antioquia, and 32 unconfirmed locations.
  • A digital database for missing persons contains over 1,400 names.
  • This is the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the 21st century.

Who's Mentioned

personJorge Eduardo Rojas“Mayor of Manizales”personNayib Bukele“President of El Salvador offering aid”personJosé Antonio Kast“President of Chile offering aid”organizationU.S. Geological Survey“Agency that identified the epicenter”personAbelardo de la Espriella“President of Colombia who declared the emergency”personMauricio Salazar“Mayor of Pereira”personClaudia Sheinbaum“President of Mexico offering aid”organizationU.S. State Department“Pledged $15.5 million in aid”