Death toll rises following powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia
Emergency crews in Colombia are rescuing residents after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Chocó, causing severe building collapses and leaving dozens dead across multiple cities.
Search and rescue operations are underway across western Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The tremor, recorded at a depth between 82 and 107 kilometers, caused significant structural damage and forced evacuations in major urban centers, including Medellín and Bogotá.
In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed that at least 20 buildings collapsed, leaving multiple residents trapped under rubble. Casualty counts remain fluid as emergency crews clear debris, with reporting outlets citing varying numbers: death toll estimates range from at least 47 to more than 80 people, with dozens of others injured. Local authorities continue to assess the full extent of the destruction.
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