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

7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia, Causing Widespread Damage and Fatalities

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 79 deaths, numerous injuries, and the collapse of multiple buildings across several departments. President Abelardo de la Espriella has established a Unified Command Post to coordinate emergency response and rescue operations.

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Why It Matters

The earthquake is the strongest in Colombia in a decade, causing significant loss of life, infrastructure damage, and the suspension of air travel in multiple cities, requiring a major national emergency response.

Key Facts

  • The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 and occurred at 7:34 local time.
  • At least 79 deaths have been confirmed across multiple departments.
  • The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, Chocó.
  • At least 80 people are reported injured in Chocó.
  • In Cali, 30 structures have collapsed with people trapped inside.
  • The Hospital Universitario de Cali suffered a partial collapse with patients trapped in the ICU.
  • In Manizales, 12 buildings are destroyed and 20 houses have collapsed.
  • Airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura have suspended operations.
  • Two aftershocks of magnitudes 2.8 and 4.8 were recorded.
  • The earthquake was felt in Panama and Ecuador, though no damages were reported there.

Who's Mentioned

locationPereira“City with 18 reported deaths”personAndrés Julián Rendón“Governor of Antioquia”personJosé Eduardo Rojas“Mayor of Manizales”personAbelardo de la Espriella“President of Colombia”personDiego Patiño“Governor of Risaralda”organizationUSGS“United States Geological Survey”personNubia Córdoba“Governor of Chocó”personAlejandro Eder“Mayor of Cali”personDilian Francisca Toro“Governor of Valle del Cauca”locationSan José del Palmar“Epicenter of the earthquake”