Magnitude 7.4 Colombia quake gets red alert, over 210 dead

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026 was classified by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) at the red alert level — the most severe category on the agency's impact scale, reserved for events with the potential for many casualties. The epicenter was about 5 km south of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, at a depth of 110 km.

One of the country's worst recent disasters

In the latest toll released by Colombian authorities, the earthquake left more than 210 dead, around 1,200 injured and more than 200 missing — figures that continue to be updated as rescue teams reach the hardest-hit areas. The government declared a state of national disaster and activated an emergency plan to coordinate the response.

Cities affected

Beyond Chocó, the effects were felt in western Colombian cities such as Cali, Manizales, Armenia, Quibdó and Pereira, with reports of collapses and damaged buildings. Airports were closed and major roads were blocked, hampering the arrival of aid to more isolated regions.

A race against time

Search-and-rescue operations stretched on for days, often in a race against time to find survivors under the rubble. Rescue brigades and international teams joined the effort of local authorities, while shelters were set up for displaced families.

Why Chocó shook

Western Colombia lies near the meeting of tectonic plates off the Pacific coast, one of the most seismically active zones in South America. Deep earthquakes, like this one at 110 km, tend to be felt over a wide area, which explains reports of shaking in cities far from the epicenter.

Seismic data: USGS. With information from Infobae, CNN en Español and Telemundo.