Colombia quake kills over 100 as rescue teams race to find missing | In pictures
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has resulted in over 100 deaths and widespread structural damage. Rescue operations are ongoing as the country faces its first major crisis under the new administration.
Why it matters
The disaster is a major humanitarian event and a critical test for the newly inaugurated Colombian government.
A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday (August 10, 2026) bringing down buildings across several cities and leaving others trapped in the rubble, local authorities said. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake rattled Cali, Quibdo, Pereira and numerous other cities and towns.
Search and rescue efforts were under way early on Tuesday (August 11) in dozens of cities and towns in western Colombia, even as the death toll rose to 111, leaving many trapped under the debris of damaged and destroyed buildings.
Colombia’s Geological Service said Monday’s (August 10) quake was the country’s strongest recorded “in the 21st century,” and that it was followed by several aftershocks. Response to the earthquake presents the first major challenge for Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump ally who was sworn in as President over the weekend.
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