Death toll rises in Colombia following magnitude 7.4 earthquake
Search and rescue operations continue in Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, with death toll estimates ranging from 132 to 164 as emergency teams clear rubble.
Rescue operations remain underway across western Colombia following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar. Authorities declared a national state of emergency, deploying military personnel and emergency crews to clear debris and search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Casualty figures remain inconsistent across media outlets as rescue efforts unfold. Moldova1 reports at least 164 fatalities, while Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă put the death toll at 132, with over 500 people injured. Earlier reports from HotNews and Adevărul cited lower initial counts of dozens and 20 deaths, respectively. Authorities warn that victim numbers may rise further as responders search damaged buildings. The tremor was also felt in neighboring Ecuador.
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, 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