Colombia earthquake death toll climbs as search operations continue
Rescue teams in Colombia are searching for survivors after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country, with reported fatalities rising past 160 amid widespread damage.
Search and rescue operations are continuing across Colombia after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the western region near San José del Palmar. The tremor, originating at an estimated depth of 107 kilometres, damaged numerous structures and was felt across borders into neighbouring Ecuador.
Casualty figures reported by authorities have continued to shift as emergency personnel access damaged areas. Early estimates recorded at least 20 deaths, but subsequent assessments increased the toll to over 132 dead and hundreds injured, with further updates reporting at least 164 fatalities.
A state of emergency remains in place while military personnel and emergency teams work through debris to reach people trapped in collapsed buildings and arrange shelter for displaced residents.
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, 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
- Aug 17, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCColombia earthquake death toll rises above 160 as rescue operations continue