The 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has killed at least 240 people and injured more than 1,300, with heavy damage reported across the coffee region and Pacific coast. Volunteers and emergency teams are digging through rubble by hand, forming human chains to rescue survivors. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency while hospitals were placed on red alert and several airports suspended operations. The U.S. pledged $15.5 million in aid and the EU deployed Copernicus satellite support to assist rescue efforts.
Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Quake Kills At Least 240 Across Colombia; Rescuers Race To Find Survivors
At least 240 killed in Colombia's biggest earthquake in years
Rescuers and volunteers in Colombia continued frantic search-and-rescue operations after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, killing at least 240 people and injuring more than 1,300 across the country's coffee region and Pacific coast.
Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble after an earthquake struck Cali, 10 August, 2026 - Santiago Saldarriaga / AP
Rescue Efforts and Local Response
In cities including Cali and Quibdó, volunteers worked with picks, basic tools, buckets and their bare hands to pull people from collapsed buildings. Makeshift human chains moved bricks and masonry while teams paused frequently to listen for survivors. One rescuer described hearing a whistle from beneath the rubble; they were able to pull a man and a baby to safety, although the man’s wife remained trapped.
Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella leaves after leading an earthquake response meeting in Bogotá, 10 August, 2026 - AP Photo
"People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes," law student Wilmer Cuesta told AFP, describing the panic that swept through Quibdó.
Wider Impact
Hospitals in five cities were placed on red alert and local authorities imposed a nighttime curfew in Cali. At least six regional airports suspended operations and all upcoming professional football matches were postponed. Officials warned the death toll could rise as teams continue to search collapsed structures across multiple municipalities.
Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble after an earthquake struck Cali, 10 August, 2026 - AP Photo
The shock was felt as far as Bogotá and in neighboring Ecuador and Panama. With an estimated depth of 110 kilometres, experts at the U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was likely caused by movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate.
Government And International Assistance
Three days after his inauguration, President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. Messages of support arrived from around the world: the United States said it was "closely monitoring" the situation and later announced $15.5 million in emergency aid; the European Commission activated the Copernicus satellite service to assist mapping and rescue operations. France, Mexico, Ecuador and Israel also offered assistance.
Eyewitnesses and journalists reported extensive structural damage in several cities, including the partial collapse of the neo-Gothic cathedral tower in Manizales. Residents described streets filled with debris, exposed cabling and buildings with severe structural cracks.
What Comes Next
Authorities continue to search for survivors and assess infrastructure damage. Emergency shelters, medical triage centers and international coordination for aid distribution are likely to expand in the coming days as Colombia responds to one of the deadliest quakes in recent years.
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