August 11, 2026 | 11:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rescuers and volunteers searched through collapsed buildings across western Colombia on Tuesday after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake caused widespread destruction across several major cities a day prior.
The Colombian Association of Capital Cities, known as Asocapitales, put the confirmed death toll at 169 on Tuesday, with 668 people injured.
What do we know about the western Colombia earthquake?
The quake struck near the community of San Jose del Palmar in the western region of Choco on Monday, causing widespread destruction in the cities of Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo and Buenaventura.
Cali accounted for 85 deaths and Pereira 66, according to the association.
The figures remain incomplete because they largely cover major cities and do not yet include the full toll from rural communities.
More than 3,000 people have been reported missing, with many feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Around 1,600 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Soldiers, emergency teams and relatives have been clearing debris in dozens of towns and cities, with volunteers forming lines to pass chunks of concrete by hand.
The cities of Pereira, Cali, Quibdo and Manizales remain on red alert because of the scale of the damage.
At least 165 buildings completely collapsed in those cities alone. Hospitals, airports, public utilities and transport systems have also been damaged across several western departments.
The epicenter was near one of Colombia's poorest and most isolated regions. Large parts of the area can be reached only by boat, aircraft or through jungle routes, while damaged roads and other infrastructure are complicating access. That means the full extent of casualties and destruction near the epicenter remains unclear.
How has the world responded?
The United States has offered $15.5 million (€13.42 million) in emergency assistance, while the European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue operations.
The EU has also begun providing emergency assistance following the earthquake, including €100,000 in initial aid through the German Red Cross.
Israel, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and El Salvador have also offered assistance.
The earthquake was felt beyond Colombia, including in parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.
Why was such a deep quake so damaging?
The scale of the destruction was striking because the earthquake struck at a depth of around 100 kilometers (62 miles), where surface shaking would normally be expected to be weaker.
Geologist Raul Perez of Spain's Geological and Mining Institute told EFE news agency that the magnitude 7.4 quake was a particularly complex subduction event involving the Nazca and South American tectonic plates.
He said a "site effect" in some areas amplified the seismic waves as they passed through local geological formations, increasing both the strength and duration of the shaking and worsening damage to buildings.
Perez said the combination of the quake's unusual depth, its magnitude and the local amplification effects made it an event that would need to be studied closely.
Read: Colombia Declares National Disaster After M7.4 Earthquake
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Colombia Declares National Disaster After M7.4 Earthquake
7 jam lalu
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitudes struck Colombia on Monday morning, August 10.
How 2006 Pangandaran Tsunami Reached Height of Coconut Tree
11 jam lalu
The true magnitude of the 2006 Pangandaran earthquake reached an equivalent of 8.7, which was stronger than originally recorded.
US Pledges $15.5 Million in Emergency Aid for Colombia After M7.4 Earthquake
11 jam lalu
The US State Department announced on Monday that they will pledge US$15.5 million in emergency aid for Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake.
Colombia's 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills 132, Injures 570
12 jam lalu
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Colombia has reached 132, with another 570 people injured.
Six Airports Close After M7.4 Colombia Earthquake
12 jam lalu
Six airports in western Colombia have suspended flight operations following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Monday.
Colombia Earthquake: Death Toll Rises to Over 100
16 jam lalu
A powerful earthquake, measured at magnitude 7.4, has struck Colombia, killing dozens of people and trapping many under rubble.
Large Earthquake Hits Western Colombia Causing Damage
1 hari lalu
A powerful earthquake, initially measured at magnitude 7.4, has struck Colombia. Tremors were also felt in neighboring Ecuador, as well as Venezuela.
Indonesia's Bengkulu Hit by 5.5-Magnitude Earthquake, No Tsunami Threat
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck southeast of Enggano, Bengkulu
Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Shakes Southern Coast of West Java
5 hari lalu
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the southern coast of West Java, Indonesia, on Wednesday evening.
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Crosses 6,000
7 hari lalu
The updated death toll comes weeks after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes hit Venezuela on June 24, causing massive damage to people and property.
