Earthquake in Colombia

The Colombian government has declared a national emergency following a powerful earthquake that has caused widespread damage and claimed dozens of lives.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) on Monday, August 10th. Its epicentre was in the Chocó region, near San José del Palmar. According to initial reports, the earthquake originated at an intermediate depth of more than 100km below the surface.

As of August 11th, at least 176 people have been confirmed dead and more than 2,500 injured. Search and rescue operations are continuing across affected areas, where dozens of buildings have collapsed and communities are still assessing the scale of the destruction.

The full extent of the damage is not yet known. Early reports indicate significant impacts on homes, businesses and critical infrastructure, including airports. Power outages have also been reported in some areas.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that around 1.5 million people experienced “very strong” shaking, intense enough to cause damage to unreinforced masonry buildings. The agency says the earthquake occurred within an area where an ancient section of seafloor is slowly sinking beneath the South American continent.

The widespread destruction has raised concerns about displacement, emergency shelter needs, and damage to essential infrastructure. As assessments continue, humanitarian needs are expected to become clearer in the coming days.

International support has been offered by a range of countries and organizations, including France, Mexico, the United States and the European Union. It is not yet clear what international assistance the Colombian government will accept.