Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Passes 180

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Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Climbs Past 224, Thousands Still Missing

The Pakistan Times — Islamabad, August 12, 2026

A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday has now killed at least 224 people, with more than 1,200 injured and over 3,700 still reported missing as rescue crews keep digging through collapsed buildings across the country. It's already being called the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia this century.

The quake hit the Chocó department, with its epicenter near San Jose Del Palmar, and the shaking was felt as far away as Ecuador and Panama. Cities across western Colombia took the worst of it, including Cali, Pereira, Quibdó, and Manizales, where dozens of buildings collapsed entirely and hundreds more sustained serious damage. In Pereira alone, pieces of the airport ceiling came down on travelers who were left screaming and taking cover. In Cali, rescue teams and ordinary civilians formed long lines passing chunks of concrete hand to hand, trying to reach people trapped underneath.

This disaster landed at the worst possible moment for Colombia's brand new president. Abelardo de la Espriella, a Trump ally known for his hardline pledges on crime, had only been sworn into office days before the quake hit. He said he personally took charge of the emergency response and declared a national emergency to fast-track recovery funding, and has been posting regular updates from the capital as the death toll climbs. The US State Department has already pledged over 15 million dollars in emergency assistance, and is separately helping American citizens caught up in the disaster, since Colombia draws more US tourists than any other nationality.

Communication with some of the hardest-hit rural areas, especially close to the epicenter in Chocó, remained badly disrupted for hours after the quake, with mobile networks down in several areas, making it even harder for officials to get an accurate picture of the damage early on. At least 21 aftershocks have followed since Monday, and authorities say the missing persons count, now well over 3,700 people, is expected to keep shifting as search efforts continue and families report loved ones they haven't been able to reach.

Read More:Iran's Government Clashes With State TV Over US Talks Censorship

Sources: NPR, Al Jazeera, 

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