Colombia Continues Rescue Efforts After 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills Over 160
The Story
Rescue efforts continued across western Colombia on Tuesday as emergency workers searched through collapsed buildings and flattened homes. The death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, which struck on Monday, August 10, has risen to at least 164 people, with authorities expecting the number to climb further. More than 570 others sustained injuries. The earthquake, described as the country's strongest in decades, tore through cities including Cali, Manizales, and Pereira, causing widespread destruction. Footage from August 10 shows collapsed buildings and ambulances in affected areas, with one of the side towers of Manizales' neo-Gothic cathedral sustaining damage. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in Chocó, approximately 240 kilometers west of Bogotá, at a depth of 107 kilometers. The tremor lasted four minutes and was felt as far away as Panama and Ecuador. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of disaster, committing government resources to the response. President de la Espriella was sworn into office on August 7, just three days before the earthquake. A curfew has been imposed in Cali following the devastation.
The Spread
What they agree on
- A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026.
- Rescue operations are ongoing across affected regions to find survivors.
- The death toll has risen to at least 164 people, with hundreds more injured.
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of disaster or emergency.
- The earthquake caused widespread destruction in cities such as Cali, Manizales, and Pereira.
Where they split
- Outlets report varying figures for the death toll, with some stating "at least 132 people" (e.g., HuffPost, The Wall Street Journal) and others reporting "more than 160" or specifically "164 people" (e.g., Al Jazeera, BBC News, RT).
- Al Jazeera includes a detail about over 2,700 people reported missing, a figure not present in all other articles.
- Some international sources, including El Pais and LiveMint, emphasize the political implications of the earthquake for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in just days before the event.
- BBC News and RT provide specific details about damage to landmarks, such as the Manizales cathedral, which other outlets do not explicitly mention.