Colombia earthquake: death toll passes 250 as rescuers search for survivors

2026, August 10

Colombia

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia early on Monday, 10 August 2026, causing widespread destruction across the country's coffee-growing region. By Tuesday, the confirmed death toll had risen to at least 254 people, with rescuers continuing to search collapsed buildings for people who may still be trapped.

🏚️ Major destruction

The earthquake caused buildings to collapse or suffer serious damage in several cities and towns. Pereira and Cali have reported particularly heavy casualties, with Reuters reporting 101 deaths in Pereira and 95 in Cali. Homes, schools and healthcare facilities were among the structures affected.

The earthquake also caused significant disruption to infrastructure, with roads blocked, airports affected and communications disrupted in some areas.

🚨 Race against time

Rescue teams are working through piles of concrete and debris using heavy machinery, while rescuers have at times called for complete silence so they can listen for people trapped underneath the rubble. Local residents have also joined rescue efforts, particularly in remote areas where professional assistance has been slow to arrive.

More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded, making rescue operations more dangerous and potentially destabilising already damaged buildings.

🏥 Remote communities particularly affected

Some Indigenous communities in Chocó, close to the earthquake's epicentre, have been left without basic services. Their remote location and damaged infrastructure are making it difficult for emergency supplies and rescue teams to reach them.

Thousands of people have reportedly been left homeless, while emergency services have struggled with the scale of the disaster.

📈 The death toll could still rise

The figure of 254 deaths is not necessarily final. Rescue crews are still searching collapsed structures, and authorities are working to establish how many people remain missing. In the immediate aftermath of major earthquakes, casualty figures can change rapidly as previously inaccessible areas are reached and rescue operations transition into recovery operations.

In short: Colombia is facing one of its most serious recent earthquake disasters. A magnitude 7.4 quake has devastated parts of western Colombia, killed at least 254 people, displaced thousands and left rescuers racing against time to locate survivors beneath the rubble.