Colombia Earthquake 2026: What We Know So Far

The quake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó department at about 07:34 local time (12:34 UTC). The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 7.4 and a depth of roughly 107 kilometres, with the epicentre a few kilometres from San José del Palmar.

Strong shaking was reported across western and central parts of the country, including Cali, Pereira, Medellín and Bogotá, with tremors also felt beyond Colombia’s borders. The hardest-hit areas included parts of the country’s coffee-growing region.

Casualties and damage – Colombia earthquake 2026

As of 12 August, Reuters reported at least 254 deaths, while more than 2,500 injuries were reported. Rescue teams were still searching damaged buildings and other sites as authorities continued assessing the scale of the disaster. The figures may change as reports from affected areas are consolidated.

Buildings were damaged or destroyed in several affected communities, while homes and public infrastructure were also hit. Airports carried out safety checks and some facilities, including hospitals and schools, were affected by the earthquake.

Rescue and emergency response

Colombia’s president declared a national emergency as the extent of the damage became clearer. Emergency services and search-and-rescue teams were mobilised, with rescue crews, soldiers, specialist personnel, volunteers and trained dogs involved in searches through collapsed structures; some survivors were pulled from the rubble.

Humanitarian and emergency assistance is being coordinated as rescue and recovery operations continue.

Aftershocks have continued following the main earthquake. Readers should rely on updates from Colombia’s Servicio Geológico Colombiano and other official seismic monitoring agencies for the latest information on aftershocks and seismic activity.

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Current situation and what happens next

Rescue operations remain the immediate priority, particularly in areas where access and communications have been disrupted. Damage assessments are still incomplete, especially in more remote parts of Chocó and other affected regions.

The situation remains fluid. Death and injury figures, the number of people still unaccounted for and the extent of infrastructure damage can change as rescue teams reach more locations and authorities consolidate reports.

Authorities are expected to focus on locating survivors, treating the injured, restoring access to affected communities and assessing damaged buildings and infrastructure. For residents and families affected by the earthquake, information from official emergency and seismic agencies remains the most reliable source as conditions develop.

Readers following the Colombia earthquake 2026 should check the latest updates from Colombian authorities, the Servicio Geológico Colombiano, the USGS and established international news organisations.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, News24 World, Al Jazeera, NPR, CNN, USGS, Servicio Geológico Colombiano, UNGRD and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies