Bogota, August 16, 2026 — The Europe Today: The death toll from the magnitude-7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10 has risen to 294, while 3,935 people have been injured, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
The UNGRD said 320 people remained missing, while 353 others had been rescued as search and rescue operations continued in the affected areas.
More than two-thirds of the reported deaths were recorded in the cities of Cali and Pereira, the disaster management authority said, adding that rescue teams were continuing efforts to locate missing people and recover victims from collapsed buildings.
Cali Fire Department Captain Alberto Hernandez said rescue operations had identified only one site showing signs of life, while efforts at other locations were primarily focused on recovering bodies.
The earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, with its epicentre located in the municipality of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region. The powerful tremor caused widespread destruction and the collapse of buildings across several affected areas.
Authorities and emergency response teams continue to assess the extent of the damage while search and rescue operations remain underway.
