Colombia Quake Kills 180 as Rescuers Search for Survivors

Rescue teams in Colombia are working through the day and night to find survivors trapped after a powerful earthquake struck the country on Monday, with the death toll now at more than 180 people.

Officials said the 7.4-magnitude quake hit at 07:34 on Monday, with authorities later reporting it was felt across much of western Colombia and into surrounding areas. The shaking was followed by fresh aftershocks on Tuesday.

More than 180 deaths have been confirmed, with most reported in Cali and Pereira. The official toll stands at 181, but a separate figure compiled from local authorities suggests it could be higher, potentially exceeding 240. President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of emergency.

Death toll rises as emergency response expands

Speaking on Tuesday from Pereira, one of the worst affected cities, President Espriella said almost 2,600 people had been injured and nearly 200 were still missing. He added that more than 1,100 homes had been destroyed and more than 8,000 had been damaged.

In the hours after the quake, several residents spent the night outdoors in cities including Pereira and Cali, either because their homes were no longer safe or out of fear that additional collapses could occur. Across Colombia, dozens of larger buildings have also fallen.

Cali and Pereira face widespread damage

In Cali, a city of about 2.2 million people, 95 people have died, according to officials. A unified command post has been set up to coordinate rescue operations. The city’s mayor, Alejandro Eder, said on Tuesday that 239 people were still trapped and that 949 had been injured. He also reported that 45 buildings had collapsed completely or partially.

Eder said some upper floors of a hospital in Cali collapsed, including areas used for paediatric care, leaving some patients trapped. In the Calima area of the city’s north, four children died when part of the Gimnasio Calima school collapsed, while other children suffered serious injuries. The mayor said 30 children were sent to care centres.

To reduce looting fears, the municipality ordered a curfew running from 20:00 local time until 06:00 on Wednesday morning.

In Pereira, 79 people have died, the city’s fire department said. The authorities have also implemented a car-free day to keep roads open for searches, and residents have been urged to follow instructions as volunteers remove rubble and try to reach those buried.

A resident of the Parque Industrial neighbourhood, near Pereira’s airport, told BBC Mundo that movement around the city centre had become difficult and that a building collapsed in Bolívar Square, while some vehicles were trapped where structures had fallen. The resident said people were afraid further collapse could occur.

Aftershocks and international support

Colombia’s geological service said more than 70 aftershocks had been recorded since Monday’s earthquake, and two events of magnitude 3.6 occurred early on Tuesday. One quake was reported in San José del Palmar, and the other in Santander.

In Manizales, the mayor, Jorge Eduardo Rojas, said five people had been killed and that 60 buildings had partially or totally collapsed. He also warned the public not to circulate “chain” messages or posts from unknown sources on social media, saying these may include false or unverified information that could heighten public concern.

International assistance has continued. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he expressed solidarity with Colombia and that the UN is working to support the government’s response. Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, said 164 Spaniards were still missing, and that there were no reports of injuries or deaths among Spanish citizens.

The Trump administration announced a donation of $15.5m (£11.5m) to Colombia. Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador and Venezuela have also offered help.

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12 August 2026