Death toll rises as search teams clear rubble following Colombia earthquake
Search and rescue efforts continue in western Colombia after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake caused building collapses and widespread damage.
Emergency responders in Colombia are continuing rescue operations after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the western Chocó department near San José del Palmar. Tremors caused widespread structural damage across several urban areas, including Cali, where Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed that at least 20 buildings collapsed, leaving residents trapped under debris. Vibrations were also recorded in major cities such as Bogotá and Medellín. Casualty figures vary across news agencies as emergency updates unfold, with death toll estimates ranging between 47 and more than 80 people. Search teams remain actively deployed to clear rubble and locate survivors beneath collapsed structures.
Sources: Avaz, CDM, HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix.
Sources
- CDM (Cafe del Montenegro) — VIDEO Razoran zemljotres pogodio Kolumbiju, raste broj poginulih
- Avaz — Raste broj mrtvih u snažnom zemljotresu u Kolumbiji, najmanje 47 žrtava
- Klix — Stravični prizori zemljotresa u Kolumbiji: Ljudi bježe dok zgrade padaju, raste broj mrtvih
- Index — Razoran potres u Kolumbiji: Još raste broj mrtvih, dramatične snimke podrhtavanja
- HRT Vijesti — Snažan potres pogodio Kolumbiju, broj poginulih raste
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