Colombia's 7.4 earthquake disaster and regional aftershocks

Key developments

1. Aug 12, 2026

   A 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes western Colombia, killing at least 71 people and causing extensive damage across Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, and Chocó.

   239 sources on this →
2. Aug 12, 2026

   President Abelardo de la Espriella declares a national disaster to mobilize emergency response and relief as the death toll rises.

   239 sources on this →
3. Aug 12, 2026

   Related seismic activity is reported across the region, including tremors in Kumamoto, Argentina's Jujuy and Mendoza, and Peru's Junín province.

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Photo: Abelardo de la Espriella / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Colombia Earthquake: Toll Rises, Mourning Declared

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 71 people and causing extensive damage across Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, and Chocó, with hospitals and infrastructure reported damaged and ongoing rescue efforts. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster to mobilize emergency response and relief as the death toll rose and aid coordination intensified.

239 sources

Photo: Serkan Gönültaş / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

Colombia Quake Triggers State of Emergency

From Kumamoto to the Andes, a sequence of earthquakes disrupted communities: Kumamoto saw hot, sulfur-smelling water flooding an izakaya after a July quake, while Argentina’s Jujuy and Mendoza regions reported moderate tremors with little to no damage. In Peru’s Junín region, a series of quakes culminated in a 4.4 event with injuries and a later 5.0 that injured four and prompted emergency medical responses and preparedness guidance.