Over 111 Dead, 1,600 Buildings Damaged as 7.4‑Magnitude Quake Rocks Colombia’s Coffee Belt and Sends Tremors Across Three Nations
Kehinde Adegoke | THE CHOSUNILBO
A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, unleashing devastation across the country and leaving at least 111 people dead and dozens injured. The quake, centred near San José del Palmar in Chocó, caused the collapse of more than 60 buildings and damaged over 1,600 structures, including airports, cathedrals, and homes.
Tremors rippled across Colombia, shaking the capital Bogotá and reaching as far as Ecuador and Panama. In Pereira, 18 lives were lost, including three fatalities at Matecaña International Airport, while in Manizales, the spire of a historic 1920s cathedral crumbled in dramatic scenes captured on video. Landslides blocked roads, airports suspended operations, and rescue teams continue to search for survivors trapped under rubble.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake’s depth at 110 km, explaining that its force was amplified by Colombia’s position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Nazca Plate collides with the South American Plate. This makes it one of the strongest quakes to hit Colombia in decades, recalling the catastrophic 1979 Tumaco earthquake.
The Colombian government has declared a national disaster, deploying military, police, and emergency services. Pereira has imposed traffic restrictions to aid rescue efforts, suspended schools, and requested communications support via Starlink equipment. Officials warn the death toll may rise as aftershocks continue to shake the region.
