An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 shook Colombia’s coastal Choco province at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, killing at least 111 people and trapping an unknown number of people underneath rubble.
According to the geological service, the quake struck at a depth of 79 km, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar.
Shortly after the initial tremor, the geological service reported an additional magnitude 4.8 seismic incident in the same region.
#SismosColombiaSGC Evento Sísmico – Boletín Actualizado 2, 2026-08-10, 07:34 hora local Magnitud 7.4, profundidad 96 km, San José del Palmar – Chocó, Colombia ¿Sintió este sismo? repórtelo https://t.co/pgC7OC2O7j https://t.co/63pt8nVsSe #NoticiaEnDesarrollo pic.twitter.com/8LQZs0nsfF
— Servicio Geológico Colombiano (@sgcol) August 10, 2026
Choco province Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi stated that many injuries have been reported and there was severe damage to buildings. Córdoba-Curi added that damage assessments are underway.
Videos posted on social media showed parts of Manizales city’s Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica, the tallest cathedral in Colombia, crumbling after the tremor.
#SISMO. Tras el fuerte temblor de magnitud 6.6 con epicentro en San José del Palmar, Chocó, sacudió a varias regiones de Colombia, dejando a Manizales como una de las ciudades más afectadas, donde la cúpula de la Catedral Basílica Metropolitana colapsó tras el movimiento telúrico pic.twitter.com/5XDOW76y55
— Colombia Oscura (@ColombiaOscura) August 10, 2026
Santiago de Cali City Mayor Alejandro Eder stated that at least 20 structures have collapsed, trapping people underneath rubble as emergency services work to get the situation under control.
Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) stated that there is no tsunami threat.
The Colombian Geological Service initially reported that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.6, before revising the official measure to 7.4. Other initial reports also varied in magnitude between 6.6 and 7.4.
Colombian president calls emergency meeting, Israel offers assistance
Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella convened an emergency meeting with UNGRD to evaluate the damage, review incoming reports, and coordinate emergency response in affected areas, according to a statement released by Espriella’s office.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar shared his concerns over the earthquake in a statement on X/Twitter and offered his Colombian counterpart any assistance that Israel could contribute in the aftermath of the quake.
אנו עוקבים בדאגה אחר הדיווחים על רעידת האדמה שפקדה את קולומביה.
הצעתי לעמיתי שר החוץ של קולומביה @omarbula, כל סיוע שישראל תוכל להעניק. ישראל ערוכה לסייע לקולומביה ככל שיידרש.
מחשבותי ותפילותי עם העם הקולומביאני בשעה קשה זו. 🇮🇱🇨🇴
— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) August 10, 2026
“Israel is prepared to assist Colombia as much as required,” Saar stated, adding that his “thoughts and prayers are with the Colombian people during this difficult time.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
