7.4 earthquake strikes western Colombia, injuries and damage reported
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- A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing injuries and significant damage.
- The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar, approximately 250 miles west of the capital, Bogota.
- Residents evacuated buildings, and damage assessments are underway in the Chocó province, with tremors felt across the country.
A significant earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.4, jolted western Colombia on Monday, prompting widespread evacuations and reporting injuries and substantial damage. The United States Geological Survey and Colombia's geological agency pinpointed the epicenter in San José del Palmar, situated about 250 miles west of the capital city, Bogotá.
In the Chocó province, the hardest-hit area, Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi confirmed that the quake caused injuries and significant damage to buildings in the city of Quibdó. Authorities are currently engaged in assessing the full extent of the destruction. The tremors were widely felt, with witnesses reporting shaking across Bogotá and extending as far as the coastal city of Barranquilla.
The earthquake occurred on Monday, August 10, 2026. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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