Western Colombia earthquake kills at least 111 as rescue effort continues
Search teams are working across western Colombia after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed at least 111 people and damaged more than 1,500 homes.
Search operations and damage assessments are continuing. Casualty figures remain provisional.
Latest updatesRescue teams search damaged neighbourhoods
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia at 07:34 local time on Monday 10 August, killing at least 111 people and leaving widespread damage across several cities and towns.
The earthquake was centred near San José del Palmar in Chocó and was felt across much of western and central Colombia. Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Armenia, Quibdó and surrounding communities are among the places reporting deaths, damaged homes and disrupted services.
At least 87 people have been reported injured. Government figures indicate that 1,575 homes were affected and 61 buildings collapsed. Rescue workers and local volunteers have continued searching unstable structures while engineers assess whether homes, hospitals, roads and public buildings are safe.
Aftershocks and blocked or damaged roads are complicating the response, particularly in mountainous and less accessible communities. Authorities have asked people to stay away from damaged buildings and follow local emergency instructions.
Communities face urgent shelter, health and access needs
The earthquake has created immediate risks for people whose homes are unsafe, families still searching for relatives and responders working around unstable structures.
Search and rescue
Teams are continuing to search collapsed buildings and clear debris. Safe access remains difficult where structures are unstable or roads have been damaged.
Health care
Hospitals and emergency services are treating trauma injuries while maintaining essential care. Damage assessments are under way at health facilities in affected areas.
Shelter and protection
Families unable to return home need safe temporary accommodation, reliable information, lighting, privacy and support to reconnect with missing relatives.
Water and essential services
Checks are continuing across water, electricity and communications networks. Disruptions may be more severe in smaller and harder-to-reach communities.
How the emergency has developed
Rescue work continues as the scale of damage emerges
The death toll reaches at least 111, with at least 87 people reported injured. Authorities report 1,575 homes affected and 61 buildings collapsed as searches and structural assessments continue.
Emergency response expands across western Colombia
National and local teams increase rescue, medical and damage-assessment operations as reports arrive from Pereira, Cali, Manizales and other affected communities.
Hospitals respond and residents join rescue efforts
Health services activate emergency arrangements. Residents and organised responders work together to remove debris and search damaged buildings.
Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes
The earthquake is recorded near San José del Palmar in Chocó. Strong shaking is felt across a wide area of western and central Colombia.
The response will focus on people still missing and families without safe homes
The casualty total may change as local records are reconciled and rescue teams reach more locations. Structural inspections will determine how many people can return home and where temporary shelter is required.
Reaching isolated communities
Road conditions, landslide risk and communications will shape how quickly medical teams and relief supplies can reach rural areas.
Safe shelter
Authorities will need to identify safe accommodation for displaced families while damaged homes and public buildings are inspected.
Restoring services
Water, electricity, communications and health services will require repairs and temporary support where networks have been interrupted.
Longer-term recovery
Once immediate rescue work ends, recovery will depend on safe reconstruction, sustained support for affected households and attention to remote communities.
Information used in this report
Servicio Geológico Colombiano; Colombian national and local emergency authorities; Colombian Red Cross; United States Geological Survey; Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System; El País; and regional reporting from affected areas.