Colombia declares state of emergency as earthquake death toll rises above 160
Colombia has declared a state of emergency following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, as confirmed fatalities rise to at least 164 and rescue teams search for survivors.
Colombian authorities have declared a state of emergency as search and rescue operations intensify following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar. Military personnel and emergency crews are clearing collapsed structures to locate survivors, with officials warning that casualty counts will likely increase.
Reported fatalities continue to rise across news coverage as disaster assessments progress. Outlets Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă reported at least 132 deaths and more than 500 injuries, while Moldova1 reported that the verified death toll has reached at least 164, with hundreds of people still missing under the rubble. Tremors from the deep seismic event were felt across western Colombia and extended into neighboring Ecuador.
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