New York: A very strong earthquake struck Colombia on Monday at around 7.35 am local time (6.05 pm IST), causing loss of lives and extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially assessed the tremor at magnitude 7.4.
The quake struck about 5 km east of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Choco department. The USGS said the tremor was recorded at a depth of about 107 km.
However, the US Tsunami Warning System and European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) measured the earthquake at 7.1. There was no tsunami warning after the quake struck Colombia’s Pacific coast.
Tremors were felt in several Colombian cities far from the earthquake’s epicentre, including capital Bogota. Neighbouring countries like Venezuela and Ecuador were also shaken by the morning quake.
Damage and devastation became clear shortly after the powerful quake as authorities began assessing its impact. Scary videos and photos of buildings coming down with people screaming and rushing out to the streets started circulating on social media.
Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Manizales, Colombia 🇨🇴 (10.08.2026)pic.twitter.com/pmcAFyWQbp
\— Disaster News (@Top\_Disaster) August 10, 2026
OMG, this is terrifying. Footage showing the shaking from the M7.2 earthquake that hit Colombia earlier.
👀 Watch until the end.
📍 Pereirapic.twitter.com/vS2slBg53X
\— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) August 10, 2026
Scenes from Cali, Colombia 🇨🇴, as the #Temblor was strongly felt across parts of Venezuela, including Caracas, Valencia, and Mérida. 🇻🇪#Earthquake #Cali #Colombia #Venezuela #Temblor pic.twitter.com/RmZGpe4DfV
— Mahrosh Pervaiz (@MahroshPervaiz1) August 10, 2026
The mayor of Pereira said 18 people were killed in the earthquake, while the mayor of Manizales told BLU Radio that there were reports of 2 deaths in the city.
Cali mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings had collapsed in the city.
“At this moment we have at least 20 collapsed structures in Cali, with people trapped. We are already on the frontlines of this emergency with all the rescue organisations of Cali. I have requested support from the mayor of Bogot and the mayor of Medelln with rescue teams,” he said.
“I ask the citizens to remain calm. Check if there are any apparent structural damages in your buildings. If you do not feel safe, if you see very large cracks, please, leave the building,” he added.
Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi said the earthquake caused injuries and significant damage to buildings in the departmental capital, Quibdo.
“We have just experienced a major earthquake in the department of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo. We are already carrying out a damage assessment and will issue the first official report shortly,” Cordoba-Curi said on X.
Airports damaged
Air travel to and from parts of Colombia was affected. The aviation authority reported damage at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura.
Operations at the affected terminals had to be suspended as authorities assessed the damage and checked whether the facilities were safe for passengers and aircraft.
Colombia, one of South America’s most seismically active countries, has experienced several powerful earthquakes, including a destructive one of magnitude 8, near Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, in 1979.
