Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises To 111 As President Declares State Of Emergency

Published 10 August 2026 · politics

News world Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises To 111 As President Declares State Of Emergency Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises To 111 As President Declares

News world Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises To 111 As President Declares State Of Emergency Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises To 111 As President Declares State Of Emergency Published By, Last Updated: August 11, 2026, 00:50 IST Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake killed 111 and injured 87. Rescuers look for survivors at a collapsed building after an earthquake in Pereira, Colombia on August 10. (AFP photo) The death toll from a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia rose to at least 111 on Monday, as newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and ordered a coordinated response. The quake also injured at least 87 people and damaged or destroyed buildings across several cities, with rescue teams searching for survivors trapped under rubble. De la Espriella, who was sworn in on Friday, travelled to Bogota to convene an emergency meeting as authorities assessed the scale of the destruction.

“In the face of the emergency, the State responds: united, coordinated, and in action to protect the lives of Colombians," he wrote on X. Me dirijo a Bogotá para concentrarme en la atención de la emergencia que enfrenta nuestro país.He convocado un Puesto de Mando Unificado en la UNGRD, desde donde lideraré personalmente las acciones para atender a las comunidades del Chocó, el Eje Cafetero y todas las zonas… pic.twitter.com/Vo3bchx7lR — Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) August 10, 2026 “I am at the forefront of the situation. It pains me deeply what the families and affected regions are going through. Colombia is united and we will move forward together," he added. Rescue Efforts Underway The earthquake struck at 7:34am local time near San Jose del Palmar in the western department of Choco. The epicentre was about 107 kilometres deep, according to the US Geological Survey.

The tremor was felt across much of Colombia and in neighbouring Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela. Buildings were damaged or collapsed in cities including Cali, Pereira and Quibdo. Pereira Mayor Mauricio Salazar described the situation as “critical", while officials in Cali said 20 buildings had collapsed, with people trapped beneath the debris. Several airports in western Colombia suspended operations so facilities could be inspected for damage. Football matches were also postponed. In Quibdo, the capital of Choco, officials reported serious damage to buildings and warned that the death toll in the impoverished region could rise as rescue teams reach more affected areas. The earthquake also prompted people to evacuate buildings in Bogota, hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre. The disaster comes weeks after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing more than 6,000 people and causing widespread destruction. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.