Colombia rocked by powerful earthquake

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck several cities in western Colombia on 11 August 2026, including Cali, the country’s third-most populous city.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, approximately 240 kilometers west of Bogotá, the Colombian capital.

The preliminary death toll stands at 132, with 570 people injured.

The earthquake caused extensive damage, particularly across the coffee-growing region, a mountainous area in central-western Colombia, as well as in Cali. The government has reported more than 1 500 damaged homes and 61 buildings destroyed, while six airports have suspended operations.

In Bogotá, several residents briefly evacuated their homes following the earthquake.

According to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), the earthquake was the strongest recorded in the country since the beginning of the 21^st century.