USA · 10 August, 2026 · 2 min read
7.4 Earthquake Kills At Least 132 In Western Colombia; President Abelardo De La Espriella Declares Emergency
Magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, causing widespread destruction and heavy casualties Death toll at least 132, hundreds injured; President Abelardo de la Espriella declares national emergency
Death toll reported differs across outlets.
4 of 6 outlets skipped it: US embassy aid announcement: $15.5 million for shelter and protection.
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Casualty figures are materially inconsistent as the story develops.
US aid as quake hits
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday at about 7:34 a.m. local time, killing at least 132 people and injuring 570 others, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities and the US Geological Survey depth cited by multiple outlets. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, just three days after being sworn into office, declared a state of emergency and vowed a concerted rescue effort, while the US State Department said the United States was "closely monitoring" the situation and "stands ready to support the people of Colombia."
The US later announced $15.5 million in emergency relief, and the State Department said it would provide $15.5 million for shelter, food, protection and earthquake assessments. In the US, the quake also triggered concern and outreach among Colombian communities, with Philadelphia-area leaders coordinating relief efforts after the earthquake killed at least 111 people, according to a local report.
Rescue, curfews, and missing
As rescue efforts moved into a second day, France 24 reported that at least 164 people had been killed and authorities warned the number of casualties could still climb, with emergency workers digging through collapsed buildings and flattened homes.F
In Cali, home to about 2.2 million people, France 24 reported at least 85 people were killed and said several of the top floors of a hospital collapsed, leaving some patients trapped and forcing some 600 others to be tended to on a street strewn with rubble.F
Cali resident Carmen Yasmin Garcia, 43, told France 24 that her group had freed seven people from a collapsed building but that four others and a dog remained trapped, adding, "We still have faith that the dog is alive and we can get these people out."
In Philadelphia, Jael Conde of Accion Colombia described the uncertainty for families trying to reach loved ones, saying, "You don't know what's happening. You don't know how is your family, your friends, everyone back home."
US-backed response and community
The US response described in the sources included shelter, food, protection and earthquake assessments, while Colombia braces for aftershocks after the Colombian Geological Service recorded 21 aftershocks by late Monday and warned more were likely.
In the US, South Florida leaders and a Doral-based humanitarian organization said they were mobilizing to send aid to Colombia, with Weston Commissioner Fabio Andrade saying, "There's a lot of damage, and we are waiting for information as to what the needs are. The first is rescue and recovery."
In San Diego, Andres Rodriguez said his family was organizing a donation drive for Colombia, describing the communications disruption as, "There's no Wi-Fi, there's no electricity right now over there, so it's hard to communicate with them right now."
Meanwhile, World Central Kitchen said its teams and local partners were working to serve meals to people in need as quickly as possible in Chocó, Cali, Pereira, and Manizales, as search and rescue efforts continued.