Colombia declares national mourning after 7.4 magnitude earthquake

A catastrophic 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 07:34 local time. The tremor, occurring at a depth of 103 kilometers, has resulted in at least 254 confirmed deaths and over 1,600 injuries. Hardest-hit areas include Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo, where hundreds of buildings have collapsed or sustained significant damage, prompting the government to declare three days of national mourning with flags at half-staff.

Rescue operations remain intensive as teams race against time, with the critical 48-hour window for locating survivors closing. Despite the destruction, rescuers have achieved successful extractions, including a 31-year-old woman and an infant found alive nearly 30 to 36 hours after the quake. Official estimates regarding missing persons vary, with some reports citing up to 3,800, while the government has confirmed at least 195. Emergency crews, supported by volunteers, continue to search through debris in affected regions while dealing with the impact of over 100 aftershocks.