Colombia earthquake death toll reaches 164 as rescue efforts continue

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 01:00 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-12-1300
Colombia earthquake death toll reaches 164 as rescue efforts continue
Photo: Ziarul de Gardă

The death toll from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia has risen to at least 164 as rescue teams search collapsed buildings under a state of emergency.

Rescue operations continue across Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck near San José del Palmar on August 10. The deep seismic event triggered widespread destruction, causing several structures to collapse and sending shockwaves as far as neighboring Ecuador.

In response to the catastrophe, Colombian authorities declared a national state of emergency to accelerate relief efforts. Military personnel and emergency teams are working through rubble in search of survivors, though efforts remain complicated in isolated areas. Casualties increased rapidly as initial assessments developed; early reports noted 20 fatalities, while subsequent updates from media outlets raised the death toll to 132 and later to at least 164 victims, with hundreds more injured. Officials warn the number of casualties may rise further.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

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