Colombia declares state of emergency as earthquake death toll rises
Rescue teams in western Colombia continue searching collapsed buildings following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, as casualty counts reach at least 164 dead and over 500 injured.
Search and rescue operations in western Colombia are continuing after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near San José del Palmar. The tremor, which occurred at an estimated depth of 107 kilometres and was felt in neighbouring Ecuador, prompted the Colombian government to declare a national state of emergency.
Casualty figures continue to fluctuate across media outlets as recovery teams search through collapsed buildings for survivors. Moldova1 reports the death toll has climbed to at least 164, while Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă estimate at least 132 fatalities alongside more than 500 people injured. Earlier reports from HotNews and Adevărul documented initial counts as local authorities surveyed the widespread structural damage. Officials caution that the number of victims may rise as debris is cleared.
Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.
Sources
- HotNews — Zeci de morți după un cutremur de magnitudine 7,4 în Columbia. Imagini dramatice – VIDEO
- Adevărul — Cutremur de 7,4 în Columbia: cel puțin 20 de persoane au murit, iar mai multe clădiri s-au prăbușit
- Digi24 — Bilanțul cutremurului din Columbia urcă la 132 de morți și sute de răniți. Mărturii după cel mai puternic seism din ultimii ani
- Ziarul de Gardă — VIDEO/ Peste 130 de morți și 500 de răniți după unul dintre cele mai puternice cutremure care au lovit Columbia în ultimii ani
- Moldova1 — Cutremurul din Columbia: Cel puțin 164 de morți și sute de persoane căutate sub dărâmături
Earlier coverage
- Aug 18, 2026, 07:00 PM UTCRescue efforts continue in Colombia as earthquake death toll mounts
- Aug 18, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCRescue teams search for survivors as Colombia earthquake death toll climbs
- Aug 18, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCDeath toll climbs past 160 after magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Colombia
- Aug 18, 2026, 07:00 AM UTCColombia earthquake death toll climbs past 160 as rescue operations continue
- Aug 18, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCColombia earthquake death toll climbs as search operations continue
- Aug 18, 2026, 01:00 AM UTCDeath toll climbs following magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia
- Aug 18, 2026, 12:00 AM UTCDeath toll reaches 164 after magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits western Colombia
- Aug 17, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCDeath toll climbs to at least 164 after powerful earthquake in Colombia
- Aug 17, 2026, 07:00 AM UTCColombia earthquake death toll climbs to 164 as rescue efforts continue
- Aug 17, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCDeath toll rises in Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake