Colombia earthquake: Over 20 dead, dozens injured and missing

A devastating earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude struck Colombia at 7:34 a.m. local time (3:34 p.m. Greek time) on Monday, August 10. According to available information, more than 20 people have already been confirmed dead, with the death toll expected to rise as many remain seriously injured or missing. The mayor of Pereira reported 18 fatalities, while his counterpart in Manizales confirmed two more. The earthquake struck at a focal depth of 115 km and was felt not only in the capital Bogotá and Cali, but also across Venezuela — which had already suffered two major earthquakes in late June measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, claiming the lives of more than 5,000 people — as well as Ecuador and Panama, where it caused significant building damage and sent terrified residents fleeing into the streets. Colombia’s geological survey agency confirmed the epicenter was located in the Chocó province, along the Pacific coast. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued.

Read more: 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia

Colombia earthquake: Terror and desperation

As expected, the moment the earthquake struck sparked widespread terror and desperation among residents. Video footage from an office shows people pressing against walls as light fixtures swing violently overhead, while another clip captures a woman falling to the ground as she frantically tries to escape. Others are seen clinging to each other, bracing for what was to come. Additional footage shows rescue workers and bystanders clearing rubble in desperate attempts to reach those trapped beneath the debris. Authorities urged the public to remain calm, though conditions on the ground remained extremely violent and chaotic. The dome of the Metropolitan Cathedral also sustained severe damage and appears to have partially collapsed following the seismic event.

Aftershocks

According to the USGS (United States Geological Survey), a 5.0 magnitude aftershock has already been recorded. The governor of San José del Palmar, Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi, posted on platform X: “We have just experienced a powerful earthquake in the Chocó province. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San José del Palmar, there are injuries and significant building damage in the provincial capital, Quibdó. We are already conducting a damage assessment and will shortly issue our first official report.”

Colombia’s President, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced in a social media post that he was personally leading the emergency response and would be traveling to the affected area. “I have immediately taken charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar. I have ordered the establishment of a Unified Operations Center to coordinate the response to the damage and assist those affected. I have requested a detailed report on the situation and the most urgent needs. I will also be personally present in Pereira to stand alongside those affected and confirm the Government’s response. You are not alone. The State is present and acting,” he wrote in his post.

“Relatively limited impact”

Juan Diego Patino, governor of the neighboring Risaralda province, told local radio station Blu Radio that Pereira, the regional capital, suffered “serious damage to several buildings,” adding: “What just happened is very serious. The images are truly shocking — there are injured people and building facades have collapsed.”

Meanwhile, seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos commented on the Colombia earthquake in a social media post, suggesting that the impact may be relatively contained due to the earthquake’s focal depth of 115 kilometers. “Major 7.4 earthquake in Colombia. Although the epicenter is onshore, the impact may be relatively limited due to the significant depth of the focal point (approximately 100 km). We are awaiting further updates,” he wrote.