More than 100 people have died after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, officials said, with victims trapped in damaged buildings and further damage reported across several cities. Colombia’s newly installed president, Abelardo de la Espriella, declared a national disaster as the scale of destruction became clearer, according to officials and statements released by the government. Casualties and scale of damageColombia’s president said at least 111 people were killed and 87 others were injured. He also reported that at least 61 buildings had collapsed and that over 1,600 homes had been damaged or destroyed. The president added that health centres, community facilities and roads had also been affected in the hardest-hit areas. Some of the worst impacts were reported in Pereira and Cali, while further deaths were recorded in multiple departments, officials said. Trapped people and local destructionIn Cali, the mayor said at least 20 buildings collapsed and people were trapped inside. Officials said a rescue effort was under way in one building where at least 15 people were believed to be trapped. In Quibdo, the governor of Chuco said there were injuries and “severe damage” to buildings in the department’s capital. The earthquake’s epicentre was located 5 kilometres east of San José del Palmar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Disruptions and reports from across the countrySeven airports suspended services in Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, Quibdo, Buenaventura and Cartago, officials said. Authorities said there had been no reports of collapsed buildings in Bogotá, Colombia’s capital. Colombia’s Geological Survey said the quake was the strongest recorded in the country in a decade. It was felt widely throughout Colombia and in neighbouring countries, including Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama, the agency said. Response led from BogotáIn a video posted on social media, President de la Espriella said he was travelling to Bogotá to focus on addressing the emergency. He said he had also convened a unified command post to coordinate the response to the affected areas, including the Coffee-Growers’ Axis. The Trump administration said it was monitoring the situation and was prepared to support Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the administration was “closely monitoring” the earthquake and was “ready” to help. Join the discussion? 11 August 2026
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