Death toll rises in Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 16, 2026, 09:30 AM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-16-0930
Death toll rises in Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake
Photo: Ziarul de Gardă

Rescue teams in Colombia continue searching for survivors as the death toll from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake reaches up to 164, with hundreds injured and a national state of emergency declared.

Rescue operations continue across western Colombia after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near San José del Palmar, causing widespread structural collapses and prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.

Casualty estimates have increased as search teams and military personnel clear debris. Moldova1 reported that at least 164 people have died, while Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă cited tolls of at least 132 dead and over 500 injured. Earlier reports from Adevărul and HotNews reflected lower initial numbers as local authorities first assessed damage. Emergency services continue searching for survivors, warning that the death toll may climb further as numerous individuals remain trapped beneath ruined buildings across the region and near the border with Ecuador.

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

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Earlier coverage

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