Phoenix 24
Rescue operations intensify as collapsed buildings and widespread damage are reported across western Colombia.
San José del Palmar, Colombia | August 2026
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, leaving dozens of people dead and causing extensive structural damage across several cities. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, and the tremor was felt across large areas of the country as well as parts of neighboring Ecuador and Panama.
Among the hardest-hit areas are Pereira, Cali, Manizales and communities across Valle del Cauca, where buildings collapsed and residents became trapped beneath debris. Emergency teams have been deployed across the affected regions as firefighters, police officers, medical personnel and specialized rescue units search damaged structures for survivors.
The earthquake also disrupted transportation infrastructure, with damage reported at airports and other critical facilities. In Manizales, significant damage affected the city’s historic cathedral, while authorities in several municipalities ordered precautionary evacuations as engineers began inspecting buildings, bridges and public infrastructure.
Authorities have warned residents to remain alert for aftershocks and to avoid entering structures that may have suffered hidden structural damage. The full scale of the disaster remains under assessment, and the casualty count could continue changing as rescue teams reach areas where communications and transportation have been disrupted.
The disaster represents one of Colombia’s most serious seismic emergencies in recent years and once again highlights the country’s exposure to powerful geological forces along the complex tectonic systems of northwestern South America. As rescue operations continue, the immediate priority remains locating survivors, treating the injured and providing shelter and essential services to communities affected by the earthquake.
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