The death toll from the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia rises to 239

According to the latest report from the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales), Cali and Pereira have some of the most critical situations, with collapsed structures and people trapped.

So far, 239 people have been reported dead and 3 755 injured in cities across Colombia following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on the morning of Monday, August 10, near San José del Palmar, in the Chocó department in the west of the country.

The seismic movement was felt in various areas of central and western Colombia and caused serious damage.

According to the latest report from the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales), Cali and Pereira have some of the most critical situations, with collapsed structures and people trapped. In Quibdó, injuries and building damage have been reported, while in Manizales, structural damage evaluations are ongoing.

In Cali, one of the cities most affected by the emergency, 107 buildings have collapsed and 643 have structural damage. In addition, authorities report 238 people trapped, 88 rescued, 74 confirmed dead according to corpse inspection records, and 1,008 injured.

Search and rescue efforts continue

Meanwhile, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported by noon on Tuesday 182 deaths, 2,542 injured, and 189 missing people in the country. It also reported 35 rescuations, 13,067 damaged homes, and 2,501 destroyed.

The damage also affects essential infrastructure. So far, there have been impacts on 93 health centers, 884 educational institutions, 427 community centers, and 77 roads. Valle del Cauca, Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, and Chocó are among the departments with the most damage.

In response to the emergency, the Minister of Agriculture, Indalecio Dangond Baquero, reported that the government is preparing aid for affected farming families and producers. The official stated that the priority is to be in the hardest-hit regions, “supporting families, protecting lives, and helping to restore the countryside.”

El Servicio Geológico Colombiano informó que hasta las 3:00 de la tarde de este martes se habían registrado 103 réplicas después del terremoto principal. Seis de ellas tuvieron magnitudes superiores a 3,0 y una superó la magnitud 4,0.

Organismos de socorro y las autoridades colombianas mantienen activas las labores de búsqueda y rescate, atención de heridos, evaluación de estructuras y recuperación de infraestructura en las zonas afectadas.