Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, 570 Injured As Chocó & Coffee Axis Worst-Hit | Top Updates
News world Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, 570 Injured As Chocó & Coffee Axis Worst-Hit | Top Updates Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, 570 Injured As Chocó
News world Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, 570 Injured As Chocó & Coffee Axis Worst-Hit | Top Updates Colombia Earthquake: 132 Dead, 570 Injured As Chocó & Coffee Axis Worst-Hit | Top Updates Published By, Last Updated: August 11, 2026, 07:38 IST Police, firefighters, soldiers and volunteers have been deployed across affected areas to search for people trapped beneath collapsed structures. The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó, a department where more than two-thirds of the population lives in poverty. Colombia Earthquake: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has left western Colombia reeling, with the country’s poorest department of Chocó and the famed Coffee Axis among the worst-hit regions. At least 132 people have been killed and more than 570 injured, while dozens of buildings collapsed and rescue teams continue to search through rubble for survivors. Colombia’s geological service described the quake as the strongest recorded in the country during the 21st century. 1. Chocó, Colombia’s poorest region, faces a major rescue challenge The earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó, a department where more than two-thirds of the population lives in poverty.
The region’s limited road connectivity and remote communities are making it difficult for emergency teams to reach some of the worst-affected areas. Disrupted communications have further complicated rescue and relief operations. 2. Coffee Axis suffers heavy destruction Risaralda, at the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing region, has emerged as one of the worst-affected departments. Pereira has reported the highest number of deaths, with 60 fatalities, while Dosquebradas has also suffered extensive destruction. Rescue teams have been working among collapsed and damaged buildings as authorities assess the scale of the devastation. 3. More than 1,500 homes damaged President Abelardo de la Espriella said 1,577 residential buildings had been damaged, with 37 completely destroyed. More than 60 buildings have collapsed, while 18 health centres and 52 schools have also suffered damage. Five capital cities have been placed under red alert. 4. Hospitals also hit as rescuers search for survivors The earthquake damaged healthcare infrastructure in several cities. In Cali, part of the University Hospital collapsed, trapping patients inside.
Around 30% of the hospital’s infrastructure was damaged, including floors housing paediatrics, internal medicine and part of the neonatal unit. At least four people were rescued from the rubble, while other patients were evacuated. 5. Rescuers race against time Police, firefighters, soldiers and volunteers have been deployed across affected areas to search for people trapped beneath collapsed structures. In Cali, rescuers pulled two women and two children alive from a collapsed building. Authorities have said finding and rescuing survivors remains the government’s top priority. 6. International help offered as Colombia battles devastation Several countries have offered rescue teams, medical personnel and equipment. Ecuador has offered 47 rescuers, specialist search dogs and equipment designed to operate independently for up to seven days. El Salvador and Mexico have also offered assistance, while the United States and United Nations have said they are ready to support Colombia if needed. The earthquake struck at around 7:34 am local time on Monday, with the US Geological Survey placing its epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó at a depth of 107 kilometres.
The BriefWire