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Where the earthquake in Colombia occurred

Where the earthquake in Colombia occurred

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia at 7:34 a.m. local time, causing at least 47 deaths and significant infrastructure damage.
  • The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the Chocó department, western Colombia.
  • Seismic activity was felt in nine departments, with critical impacts in urban centers like Cali, and was also reported in three neighboring countries.

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake devastated Colombia on August 10, 2026, at 7:34 a.m. local time. The tremor resulted in a preliminary death toll of at least 47 people, with numerous serious injuries and severe infrastructure collapses reported across the country.

The epicenter of the earthquake was pinpointed by the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) to the municipality of San José del Palmar, situated in the Chocó department in Colombia's western region. Approximately one hour after the main shock, significant aftershocks were recorded in the same area at 8:18 a.m.

The seismic activity extended its reach across at least nine Colombian departments. Major urban centers experienced critical impacts, including widespread building collapses in cities like Cali. Rescue efforts were underway, with neighbors and emergency personnel seen searching through rubble for survivors.

The earthquake's magnitude and its western location caused seismic waves to cross international borders. The tremors were felt in three neighboring countries, highlighting the event's extensive reach. This report was produced by LA NACION's team with AI assistance.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.