Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 314, hundreds still missing

The death toll from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia has risen to 314, according to the country’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).

A total of 4,437 people were injured, while another 262 remain missing. Overall, more than 262,000 people have been affected by the earthquake and its aftermath, Caliber.Az reports, citing Blu Radio.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on the morning of August 10, 2026, near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, at an intermediate depth of around 100–110 kilometres. 

It was the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the past decade and was widely felt across western and central Colombia, as well as in neighbouring Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

The newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency within hours of the quake, which caused extensive damage and building collapses in cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó.

By Jeyhun Aghazada