BOGOTÁ, Colombia — A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, killing dozens of people, collapsing buildings and setting off an urgent search for survivors as authorities warned that aftershocks and secondary hazards could complicate rescue operations.
Early reports put the death toll at at least 20, but that number changed rapidly as emergency crews reached heavily damaged communities. By early Monday afternoon U.S. Eastern time, Reuters was reporting at least 77 deaths, illustrating how quickly the scale of the disaster was becoming apparent.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.4 and placed its epicenter approximately 5 kilometers east of San José del Palmar, Colombia, at a depth of about 107 kilometers. The earthquake occurred at 12:34 UTC on August 10.
The shaking was felt across a wide area of Colombia and beyond its borders. Reports described damage in major western cities, including Pereira, Cali and Manizales, while tremors were also felt in neighboring countries.
Buildings Collapse as Rescue Operations Begin
The greatest immediate concern is people trapped beneath collapsed structures.
In Cali, authorities reported that at least 20 buildings had collapsed as rescuers began searching damaged structures. Other communities reported extensive structural damage, and emergency personnel were being mobilized from other Colombian cities to reinforce local rescue teams.
Risaralda was emerging as one of the hardest-hit departments, with Reuters reporting 42 deaths there as the national casualty count continued to rise. Damage was also being reported in Pereira, Cali, Manizales and Buenaventura.
Transportation was becoming another problem. Colombian aviation authorities suspended operations at several regional airports while facilities were inspected for possible structural damage, potentially complicating the movement of emergency personnel and supplies.
The situation remains fluid. Death and injury totals from major earthquakes commonly rise during the first hours and days as rescuers gain access to collapsed buildings and isolated communities.
What Happens Next?
The earthquake itself may have lasted only seconds, but Colombia now faces a much longer emergency.
Aftershocks are one of the first dangers. Large earthquakes are normally followed by additional earthquakes as the surrounding crust adjusts to the change in stress. Some may be strong enough to cause additional damage, particularly to buildings already weakened by the main shock.
That means a structure that remained standing after the magnitude-7.4 earthquake cannot automatically be considered safe.
Residents should expect authorities to conduct structural inspections before allowing people to reenter badly damaged homes, apartment buildings, hospitals, schools and government facilities.
Rescue crews also face the danger of unstable walls, falling masonry, broken glass, damaged electrical systems and gas leaks.
Landslides Could Become a Major Concern
Colombia’s mountainous terrain creates another potentially serious hazard: landslides.
Strong earthquake shaking can destabilize hillsides, particularly along mountain highways and in communities constructed on steep slopes. Landslides can bury buildings, block highways and isolate towns precisely when rescuers need access.
Blocked roads can also delay ambulances, heavy equipment, food, drinking water and medical supplies.
Authorities will therefore be watching mountain roads, bridges, tunnels and slopes for signs of movement during the coming hours and days.
No Tsunami Threat Reported
Despite the strength of the earthquake and its impact across western Colombia, Reuters reported that no tsunami threat had been issued.
That distinction is important. A powerful earthquake does not automatically produce a tsunami. The location, depth and type of fault movement all influence whether enough seawater is displaced to generate dangerous waves.
For Colombia’s Pacific communities, however, residents should continue following official emergency instructions rather than assuming conditions cannot change.
Why Colombia Is Vulnerable to Powerful Earthquakes
Colombia sits within one of the world’s most geologically active regions.
The country’s earthquake hazard is connected to the complex interaction of tectonic plates and crustal blocks along northwestern South America. That tectonic setting has produced destructive earthquakes throughout Colombia’s history.
The country’s experience with earlier disasters ultimately contributed to stronger earthquake-resistant building requirements. After destructive earthquakes in 1979 and 1983, Colombia developed a national seismic building code that came into force in the 1980s.
Modern construction standards can dramatically reduce earthquake deaths, but they cannot eliminate the danger. Older buildings, informal construction and structures that have not been adequately reinforced can remain particularly vulnerable.
The Critical First 72 Hours
The next several days will be dominated by search and rescue.
Emergency teams will attempt to locate survivors beneath collapsed structures while engineers assess whether damaged buildings can be entered safely. Hospitals will treat traumatic injuries, while authorities will have to determine whether medical facilities themselves remain structurally sound.
Temporary shelters may be required for residents who cannot safely return home.
The government will also have to restore electricity, drinking water, communications and transportation routes where those systems have been damaged.
The first 24 to 72 hours are especially important for locating people trapped beneath rubble. Rescue teams often use dogs, listening equipment, cameras and specialized search devices to detect signs of life inside collapsed structures.
Heavy machinery must be used cautiously because removing concrete or structural supports incorrectly can cause unstable debris to shift.
The Death Toll May Not Be Final
One of the most important facts about Monday’s disaster is that the casualty figures are still developing.
The earliest reports cited at least 20 deaths. Subsequent reports moved substantially higher as authorities received information from additional communities. Reuters reported at least 77 deaths later Monday.
Those figures should therefore be regarded as provisional rather than a final accounting of the disaster.
The coming hours will determine whether rescuers can reach people trapped beneath buildings and whether isolated communities suffered additional casualties that have not yet been reported.
For Colombia, the immediate earthquake has ended. The emergency has not.
Aftershocks, unstable buildings, landslides, damaged roads and disrupted infrastructure now represent the next phase of the crisis, while search-and-rescue teams race against time to find survivors.
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By T. Williams, Staff Reporter contributed to this report.
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