A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 132 people and injuring around 570 others. The earthquake triggered widespread structural damage, collapsed buildings and a major rescue operation across several cities.
BREAKING: Apocalyptic scenes in Colombia as the Cathedral in Manizales collapses under the force of the earthquake.
People watch in fear and disbelief as the towers of one of Colombia’s oldest Christian cathedrals come crashing down.
Pray for Colombia.…— Mario ZNA (@MarioBojic) August 10, 2026
The quake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres. Colombia’s Geological Service described it as the strongest earthquake recorded in the country during the 21st century.
Earthquake Causes Widespread Destruction
The Colombia earthquake caused significant damage across western and central parts of the country. Pereira emerged as one of the worst-hit cities, while Cali, Manizales and other areas also reported collapsed or badly damaged structures. Authorities said around 1,575 residential buildings were damaged, with dozens completely destroyed. Health centres and schools were also affected, adding pressure to emergency services already dealing with casualties and displaced residents.
JUST IN: At least 111 killed, 87 injured after 7.4 M earthquake in Colombia; 1,575 homes damaged — President de la Espriella pic.twitter.com/xgf8bgdPgj
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) August 10, 2026
Video footage from Pereira showed people running away as a building collapsed during the powerful tremors. In Manizales, part of the historic Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica was also damaged, with one of its towers collapsing.
Rescue Teams Search Collapsed Buildings
Emergency crews, police officers, firefighters and volunteers have been working through rubble in an effort to locate survivors. Rescue operations have been particularly challenging in remote areas of Chocó, where difficult terrain and limited infrastructure can restrict access.
Colombia rescuers DIG OUT MONTHS-OLD BABY from BUILDING RUBBLE after 7.4 earthquake https://t.co/bo29pen6PM pic.twitter.com/vW1xXlt0Wj
— RT (@RT_com) August 10, 2026
In Cali, rescuers pulled several people from collapsed structures, while parts of a hospital were damaged and patients had to be evacuated. Authorities said saving people trapped beneath debris remained the top priority.
Aftershocks Raise Further Concerns
The main earthquake was followed by multiple aftershocks, prompting authorities to warn residents to remain cautious around damaged buildings. People in Bogotá and other cities also evacuated buildings as a precaution after feeling the tremors. The epicentre lies in a seismically active region associated with the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic activity frequently produces earthquakes.
Colombia Declares National Disaster
The Colombian government declared a national disaster to speed up the mobilisation of emergency resources and support relief operations. President Abelardo de la Espriella said the government was deploying available resources to affected areas and prioritising rescue efforts. Several countries have also offered assistance. Ecuador offered rescue personnel, specialist search dogs and equipment, while El Salvador, Mexico, the United States and the United Nations indicated their readiness to support Colombia if required.
Authorities are continuing to assess the full scale of destruction, particularly in Chocó, where poor road connectivity and dense jungle could delay access to some communities. With rescue operations still underway and damaged structures being inspected, officials have warned that casualty figures and damage estimates could change as teams reach more affected areas.