Rescuers race against time in Colombia after devastating earthquake leaves hundreds dead

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, causing widespread devastation and a rapidly rising death toll exceeding 200 people. Initial reports indicate at least 224 to 254 fatalities, with thousands more reported missing as search and rescue operations intensify across the affected regions. The tremor, which originated near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, was strongly felt across several cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó, resulting in numerous collapsed buildings and significant damage to homes and critical infrastructure.

Rescue teams are working against the clock amidst ongoing aftershocks, sifting through rubble in a desperate effort to locate survivors. The Colombian government has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing all available resources and appealing for additional equipment to assist in the urgent humanitarian response. The disaster, one of the strongest to hit the country in decades, has also disrupted transportation, with several airports temporarily suspending operations and inland roads undergoing safety assessments.