At least 132 people have been killed and 570 injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia. Rescue teams are searching damaged buildings as authorities assess the scale of destruction across several cities.
The earthquake struck on Monday with its epicentre near San Josе del Palmar in western Colombia, about 240 km from the capital city of Bogota. The US Geological Survey measured it at a magnitude of 7.4 and placed the epicentre about 5 km from the town.
Emergency crews have been digging through rubble in areas hit by building collapses, including Cali. CNN reported that the paediatric and neonatal sections of a hospital there were among the structures that collapsed, and damage was also reported to homes and other public buildings.
This morning's magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia caused strong shaking across western Columbia. An estimated 1.5 million people experienced shaking near intensity 7, strong enough to cause damage to unreinforced masonry buildings especially. The earthquake occurred at a… pic.twitter.com/LZizq9Cu1b
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) August 10, 2026
The Colombian government has declared a national disaster and deployed soldiers to assist with the response. The tremor also strongly shook Bogotá, where alarms sounded and residents moved into the streets as a precaution.
Colombia earthquake recalls deadly 1999 disaster
Monday’s earthquake struck a region with painful memories of the January 1999 quake that devastated Colombia’s coffee-growing belt, particularly the city of Armenia (not to be confused with Armenia the country). The earlier disaster killed more than 1,000 people and caused widespread destruction across Armenia and neighbouring areas.
According to figures from Colombia’s DANE statistics agency, the 1999 earthquake left 1,185 people dead, more than 8,500 injured and 35,972 homes destroyed, with around 921 of the deaths recorded in Armenia.
Previously in July, a 7.1M earthquake hit Japan, killing at least 13 people. In South America, a devastating earthquake claimed thousands of lives in Venezuela.
From economics and politics to business, technology and culture, Kursiv Uzbekistan brings you key news and in-depth analysis from Uzbekistan and around the world. To stay up to date and get the latest stories in real time, follow our Telegram channel.
