Colombia earthquake: Death toll rises to 20, more than a dozen buildings collapse — latest updates

In Pereira, 18 people were killed and others were reportedly trapped inside collapsed buildings, Mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol Radio. Two more deaths were reported in Manizales by Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas.People watch as a building collapses during an earthquake in Pereira, Colombia August 10, 2026 in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Social Media/via REUTERS (via REUTERS)At least 20 people were killed and dozens of buildings collapsed in western Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the country on Monday (August 10), trapping residents under debris and forcing evacuations in several cities, including the capital Bogotá.The death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake rose to at least 20, authorities said.In Pereira, 18 people were killed and others were reportedly trapped inside collapsed buildings, Mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol Radio. Two more deaths were reported in Manizales by Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas.Emergency teams continued assessing damage and searching affected buildings for survivors.Major damage reportedThe earthquake caused serious structural damage in several cities across western Colombia.Chocó Governor Nubia Córdoba said there were injuries and serious damage to buildings in Quibdó, the regional capital with a population of about 130,000.In neighbouring Risaralda province, Governor Juan Diego Patino said Pereira, a major city in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, also suffered serious damage to some buildings.The earthquake triggered evacuations as residents rushed out of homes and other structures amid fears of further collapses.Epicentre near San José del PalmarThe earthquake’s epicentre was reported near San José del Palmar, a community of around 4,800 people in Colombia’s Chocó region, about 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Bogotá.The US Geological Survey initially reported the quake at a depth of about 66 miles (107 kilometres), while Colombia’s geological service later revised the magnitude to 7.4 and reported a depth of about 96 kilometres (60 miles).The powerful tremor was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador.Airports suspend flightsColombia’s civil aviation authority suspended flights at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura as inspectors assessed possible structural damage.The country’s disaster agency said it had received reports from nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals where the earthquake was felt.Authorities reported evacuations and initial damage assessments across affected areas.President takes chargeNewly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella said he had personally taken charge of the government’s emergency response in San José del Palmar.“You are not alone. The state is present and taking action,” he said.Government agencies and emergency responders were working to assess the scale of destruction and assist people affected by the earthquake.Earthquakes common, major quakes rareSmall earthquakes, locally known as “temblores,” are common in central and western Colombia. However, earthquakes above magnitude 6.0 are relatively rare.The country experienced one of its deadliest recent earthquakes in 1999, when a magnitude 6.2 quake near Armenia killed more than 1,100 people.No tsunami threat reportedThe US tsunami warning system said there was no tsunami threat following Monday’s earthquake.Authorities continued to monitor the affected areas for additional damage and aftershocks as rescue and assessment operations continued.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India, World and US news. HomeNewsWorldColombia earthquake: Death toll rises to 20, more than a dozen buildings collapse — latest updatesMore