Major M7.4 earthquake hits Chocó, Colombia, leaving dozens dead

Epicenter of M7.4 earthquake in San José del Palmar, Colombia on August 10, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google The epicenter was located 5.1 km (3.2 miles) E of San José del Palmar (population 2 392), 24.5 km (15.2 miles) WNW of Ansermanuevo (population 12 332), 31 km (19 miles) SW of Santuario (population 11 787), 34 km (21 miles) W of La Virginia (population 25 900), and 55 km (34 miles) W of Pereira (population 467 269), Colombia. 1.9 million people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 14 million strong, 12.9 million moderate, and 5.6 million light. Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake because it is located too deep inside the Earth, NWS PTWC said at UTC. The USGS issued an Orange alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Significant casualties and damage are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past orange alerts have required a regional or national level response. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Colombia. Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall with wood and unknown/miscellaneous types construction. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses. Landslides triggered a significant area, with a significant population exposed. Liquefaction is estimated to have affected an extensive area, with an extensive population exposed. Epicenter of M7.4 earthquake in San José del Palmar, Colombia on August 10, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google Epicenter of M7.4 earthquake in San José del Palmar, Colombia on August 10, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking Selected cities exposed Regional seismicity Updates UTC, August 10 Reuters reported at least 77 deaths at UTC, including 42 fatalities in Risaralda reported ño, three deaths in Manizales reported Córdoba. Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 25 structures collapsed at 12 critical locations in the city, with people trapped under debris. Eder said an elderly woman and a young girl had been rescued alive and that Cali had requested additional disaster-response teams from Bogotá and Medellín. Damage was reported across several western cities. Reuters reported a building collapse in Pereira, the loss of one of the towers of a cathedral in Manizales, and hospital patients being moved outside in Cali. Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi reported injuries and building damage in Quibdó and warned residents about aftershocks. Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended flights at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura while inspectors evaluated possible structural damage.