At least 111 killed, more trapped under rubble after 7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 shook Colombia's coastal Choco province at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, killing at least 111 people and trapping an unknown number of people underneath rubble.
According to the geological service, the quake struck at a depth of 79 km, with its epicenter near San Jose del Palmar.
Shortly after the initial tremor, the geological service reported an additional magnitude 4.8 seismic incident in the same region.
Embedded tweet from the Servicio Geologico Colombiano (@sgcol), the Colombian Geological Service's own account, dated 1:00 PM Aug 10: "Evento Sismico - Boletin Actualizado 2, 2026-08-10, 07:34 hora local Magnitud 7.4, profundidad 96 km, San Jose del Palmar - Choco, Colombia"
Choco province Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi stated that many injuries have been reported and there was severe damage to buildings. Cordoba-Curi added that damage assessments are underway.
Santiago de Cali City Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that at least 20 structures have collapsed, trapping people underneath rubble as emergency services work to get the situation under control.
Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) stated that there is no tsunami threat.
The Colombian Geological Service initially reported that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.6, before revising the official measure to 7.4. Other initial reports also varied in magnitude between 6.6 and 7.4.
Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella convened an emergency meeting with UNGRD to evaluate the damage, review incoming reports, and coordinate emergency response in affected areas, according to a statement released by Espriella's office.