Cali faces destruction in Capri and Molino Rojo motel after earthquake

On August 10, 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook western Colombia, leaving the Valle del Cauca capital, Cali, among the hardest-hit cities.

Destruction in the Capri neighborhood

In the Capri neighborhood, near the Limonar Towers, a building collapsed completely after the quake. rescuers, authorities and citizens worked for several hours amid tons of debris, using heavy machinery to remove the material. Information released from the site indicates the need for generators, flashlights and other resources to keep operations running at night, while aftershocks continue to pose a risk of instability to the remaining structures.

Search and rescue at the Molino Rojo motel

The Molino Rojo motel, located on the Southeast Highway, suffered severe collapse, leaving much of the structure in ruins. Some parts remain standing, but much has disappeared. Citizens and emergency teams arrived at the site to support the search for survivors. At times, silence was requested so rescuers could hear possible calls from people trapped underneath.

Other affected areas in Cali

• Sections of the South Highway.
• Areas near street 43.

Besides Capri and the motel, residents reported damage in other parts of the city, prompting teams to move in to assess buildings and identify those that pose danger to their occupants.

Number of victims and national response

The national tally of the earthquake evolved quickly as emergency teams advanced into the hardest-hit areas. The latest report indicates that the death toll exceeds 130 people. Authorities continue to compile data to determine the total extent of the damage.

Challenges faced by rescue teams

Search operations face debris instability, risk of further aftershocks, and the need to maintain lighting and power through the night. The priority of authorities and relief organizations is to locate survivors, requiring constant caution given the fragility of the remaining structures.

With information from Semana.