Bogota, August 12, 2026 — The Europe Today: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia has caused widespread destruction, leaving thousands of people injured and hundreds of homes destroyed, while rescue teams continue searching for survivors in affected areas.
The earthquake struck on Monday, August 10, with its epicentre in Colombia’s Chocó region. The tremor was felt across much of the country and in parts of neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The disaster has severely affected several areas, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó. Emergency authorities have reported extensive damage to residential buildings, schools and public infrastructure, while thousands of residents have been displaced from their homes.
Rescue and emergency response teams are continuing operations in affected communities, with authorities facing major challenges in reaching remote areas. Damaged roads, disrupted communications and limited access to some communities have complicated the assessment of the full scale of the disaster.
The humanitarian situation remains critical, with urgent needs including shelter, food, clean water and medical assistance. Authorities and humanitarian organizations are working to provide emergency support to affected populations while search-and-rescue operations continue.
Colombia’s newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella has visited affected areas and pledged government assistance as national authorities coordinate relief and recovery efforts. International support has also begun to reach the country, with several governments and humanitarian organizations offering assistance.
Officials have warned that the casualty figures and damage assessments could rise as emergency teams gain access to remote areas and continue evaluating the impact of the earthquake.
The disaster has prompted a large-scale national response, with rescue workers, emergency personnel, volunteers and local authorities working around the clock to locate survivors, provide medical assistance and support communities affected by the devastating earthquake.
