Earthquake death toll surpasses 250 in Colombia

August 12 2026

Rescue teams on Tuesday continued a desperate search through mountains of rubble after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, with the death toll approaching 250 as authorities raced against time to locate people still trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Emergency crews in affected communities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó, worked through unstable debris, repeatedly calling for silence so rescuers could listen for cries or other signs of life beneath the ruins.

The earthquake struck on Monday, August 10, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. Colombia’s Geological Service recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.4 and a depth of approximately 103 kilometres, describing it as the largest-magnitude earthquake recorded in Colombia during the 21st century.

The violent shaking caused widespread destruction across parts of western Colombia, damaging or destroying apartment buildings, homes, schools, medical facilities and other infrastructure. Some structures were left severely cracked or leaning, while others collapsed completely.

At the Torres del Limonar apartment complex in Cali, one of the major rescue sites, emergency workers continued searching for survivors.

Reuters reported that more than 20 people were rescued during the first 12 hours following the earthquake, while additional survivors were subsequently pulled from the rubble as rescue operations became increasingly difficult.

Authorities have faced significant challenges, including unstable structures, aftershocks and large crowds gathering around rescue sites. Officials have urged the public to cooperate with emergency personnel so search teams can work safely and hear possible calls for help.

The Colombian Geological Service reported that numerous aftershocks followed the main earthquake, including 18 recorded during the initial monitoring period, with magnitudes ranging from 1.4 to 4.8. Officials warned that additional aftershocks could continue for days, weeks or even months.

Casualty figures have continued to change as authorities assess damage across multiple affected areas. Reuters reported that the death toll was nearing 250 on Wednesday, while other major outlets cited lower confirmed figures at different points in the response, underscoring the rapidly evolving nature of the disaster.

The earthquake has triggered one of Colombia’s most significant emergency responses in years, with rescue personnel, firefighters, volunteers and government agencies working around the clock. International assistance has also begun arriving, including support from the United States, Mexico and El Salvador, according to the Associated Press.

As rescue operations enter another critical phase, families remain gathered outside damaged buildings and emergency centres, waiting for news of relatives who remain unaccounted for.

For rescuers, the priority remains unchanged: find survivors before it is too late.