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Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Kills 111 in Western Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella Says

10 August, 2026.Other.31 sources

Developing · updated 1h ago · 31 outlets

Magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, causing at least 111 confirmed deaths. 87 people injured and dozens of buildings collapsed, with emergency declared nationwide.

31 outlets1 divide1 fact unevenly covered

Beat 1 · The verdict

Depth and shaking explanation for why impacts differ

Beat 2 · The divide, quote v quote

“The earthquakes were remarkably shallow, with the USGS estimating a depth of roughly 22 kilometers”

Plataforma Media

“USGS said the quake was also quite deep, striking around 107 kilometers below the ground.”

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Colombia quake, 7.4

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with the epicenter near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, and the USGS measured the quake at a depth of about 107 kilometers.

“As of 12:30 [local time], the toll stood at 111 dead and 87 injured”

Colombia’s newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella said the death toll had reached 111 and that 87 people were injured, as the government declared a national state of emergency to respond to the impact.

@globaltimesnews

The quake damaged 1,575 homes and affected infrastructure at six airports, where commercial flight operations were suspended, and Colombia’s Geological Service said the quake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time.

The DW report said de la Espriella personally took charge of the emergency response and set locating anyone still potentially trapped as the highest priority for rescuers.

Al Jazeera said the earthquake occurred near the municipality of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Choco region, about 400km (250 miles) west of Bogota, and that the US tsunami warning system issued no tsunami warning.

Sources

Al Jazeera

Local damage and leaders

In Cali, the mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings had collapsed, with people trapped inside, and he said the city was managing the emergency alongside all of Cali's rescue agencies.

DW reported that authorities in Valle del Cauca said at least 27 people had died, while officials in Risaralda said 40 people had died across the state, including at least 18 in Pereira.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera quoted President Abelardo de la Espriella saying, “We aren’t going to leave people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination,” as flights were suspended at airports including Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura and Pereira.

The New York Times said President Abelardo De La Espriella confirmed 111 people had been confirmed dead and that more than 1,500 residential buildings had been damaged, with some fully destroyed.

Hindustan Times reported that the quake struck at 7:34 am (1234 GMT) and that the epicenter was in Colombia's coastal Choco region at a depth of 100 kilometers (60 miles).

Sources

Al Jazeera

Aftershocks, airports, aid

Colombia’s Geological Service said Monday’s quake was the country’s strongest recorded “in the 21st century,” and KPLC 7 News said it was followed by 21 less powerful aftershocks.

“followed by 21 less powerful aftershocks”

KPLC 7 News

DW reported that the USGS measured the quake at magnitude 7.4 and that it estimated most of the western half of Colombia would feel the tremors, with tremors also felt in Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

The New York Times said the civilian aviation authority temporarily suspended operations at the airport there and in six other cities: Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura, as officials warned of possible aftershocks.

Global Times, citing Abelardo de la Espriella in Bogota, said the quake damaged 1,575 homes and infrastructure at six airports, and that the president said the death toll had risen to 111 nationwide with 87 injured.

Al Jazeera said the earthquake was followed by two 2.8 and 4.8 magnitude aftershocks and that flights were suspended at multiple airports, while it also reported that authorities believed the death toll would continue to rise as search operations continued.

Sources

KPLC 7 News

Al Jazeera

Story read · 31 outlets · 1 disagreement · 1 fact unevenly covered

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