20 Killed After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Colombia, Situation "Critical"
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Western Colombia, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in the Choco region. At least 47 people have been confirmed dead, and the government has launched an emergency response.
Why it matters
This is a major natural disaster with significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, requiring urgent humanitarian and governmental intervention.
At least 47 people were killed after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Western Colombia on Monday, according to a report by news agency Associated Press. Dozens of buildings collapsed, and residents were trapped under debris, leaving injured people and forcing people to evacuate their homes.The epicentre was in San Jose del Palmar, which is a community of about 4,800 people in the Choco region, 400 kilometres west of Bogota. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at a depth of 107 kilometres. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador.18 of the people killed were from the town of Pereira, Mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol Radio. He also said that the situation was "critical".Manizales, Colombia. Terremoto. pic.twitter.com/BzKcaWIHm1 - Jupac (@Jupacg) August 10, 2026Footage shared by local media outlets showed homes and small buildings collapsing in the cities of Pereira, Cali and Quibdo.
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