Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of national disaster following the earthquake.

Three children among the victims

Earlier, the mayor of Pereira, Mauricio Salazar, confirmed a preliminary death toll of 18, with dozens more injured. The mayor of the neighbouring city of Manizales, Jorge Eduardo Rojas, said two people had been killed there.

The governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, told the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo that three children were among the dead.

“There has been collapse in some areas here, and of course some people are trapped. However, we are already here with the Army, working to free them and carrying out the necessary evacuations,” the governor said.

“There has been damage across several municipalities. In Calima-El Darién, we sadly lost three children when a wall collapsed on them. In Zarzal, one person also died. In Buenaventura, there is extensive damage, but no injuries have been reported. In Riofrío and Calima-El Darién, there is also significant damage. The situation is serious and we are working on it,” the governor said.

Se reportan cientos de edificios caídos tras el sismo en #Colombia 🇨🇴 , la tragedia podría ser mucho mayor a la vivida hace unas semanas en Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/givqtljju4

— Gurú Político (@guruchuirer) August 10, 2026

The earthquake had a focal depth of around 115 kilometres and was strongly felt, causing damage to buildings as terrified residents fled outside. Colombia’s Geological Service said the epicentre was on the Pacific coast. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said no tsunami warning had been issued.

The earthquake struck at 7:34am local time (3:34pm in Greece) and was felt in the capital, Bogotá, and in Cali, as well as in Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.

BREAKING: A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck the San José del Palma region of Colombia, with the mayor of Choco stating that, "there are injuries and severe damage to buildings, and we are concerned about aftershocks" pic.twitter.com/ZkZaOtunM9

— StrandenOSINT (@StrandenOSINT) August 10, 2026

Residents search rubble for family and friends

Panic broke out as the tremor hit, with terrified residents rushing out of buildings and trying to get to safety in time as chunks of concrete and broken glass fell into the street. Dust covered everything, while one woman was seen in video footage falling to the ground as she tried to flee, as other women nearby stood huddled together, visibly shocked, watching events unfold around them.

The first videos to emerge showed residents rushing to the rubble of collapsed buildings to check for casualties and help however they could.

JUST IN: 7.4 M earthquake (terremoto) strikes near San José del Palmar, Colombia, according to the USGS. pic.twitter.com/xg8QvfvKX1

— Q RIGHT SCOPE (@Qrightscopee) August 10, 2026

The dome of Manizales’ Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica, the tallest cathedral in Colombia, also suffered serious damage and appeared to have collapsed following the tremor.

Colombia: Significant damage reported in Pereira following the powerful M7.2 earthquake earlier.

Buildings have collapsed, with reports of people trapped beneath the rubble. pic.twitter.com/o1ZlmBiaP5

— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) August 10, 2026

“We are concerned about aftershocks, there are injuries”

“We have just experienced a powerful earthquake in Chocó province. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicentre was near San José del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the provincial capital, Quibdó. We are already assessing the damage and will issue our first official report shortly,” said Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi, governor of Chocó, in a post on X.

Less than an hour after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake, the USGS also reported a magnitude 5.0 aftershock.

The earthquake in Colombia comes after two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck neighbouring Venezuela in late June, which caused widespread damage and killed more than 5,300 people.

President leads emergency response after earthquake

Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in only three days earlier, said in a social media post that he was leading the emergency response and would travel to the affected area.

“I have taken direct charge of the emergency response in San José del Palmar. I have ordered the setting up of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damage and to those affected. I have requested a detailed report on the situation and the most urgent needs. I will also personally be in Pereira to accompany those affected and confirm the government’s response. You are not alone. The state is present and acting,” he wrote.

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near San José del Palmar, Colombia, causing a building in Cali to partially collapse. (terremoto) pic.twitter.com/AHjohUV9P0

— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) August 10, 2026

“The images are truly shocking”

Juan Diego Patiño, governor of the neighbouring Risaralda province, told local station Blu Radio that Pereira, the region’s capital, had suffered “serious damage to a number of buildings,” adding: “What has just happened is very serious. The images are truly shocking, with injuries and building facades that have collapsed.”

Papadopoulos: “The impact could be limited given the depth of the epicentre”

Greek seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos said in a social media post that the earthquake’s impact in Colombia could be relatively limited given its focal depth, recorded at around 115 kilometres.

#TERREMOTO Após o forte terremoto de magnitude 7.4 com epicentro em San José del Palmar, Chocó, várias regiões da Colômbia foram atingidas, sendo Manizales uma das cidades mais afetadas, onde a cúpula da Catedral Basílica Metropolitana desabou após o evento sísmico. pic.twitter.com/ksoT0hUyNC

— Carlos Salas (@CarlosS08594935) August 10, 2026

“A major magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia. Although the epicentre is onshore, the impact could be relatively limited given the significant depth of the focus, around 100 kilometres. We are awaiting further updates,” he wrote.

Shakira sends message of support to Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake

The Colombian singer expressed solidarity with families affected by Monday’s powerful earthquake in western Colombia, urging her compatriots to unite, stay alert and follow official guidance so rescue efforts can proceed as quickly as possible

In an X post, Shakira sent a message of solidarity to families going through difficult moments, stressing that in such circumstances Colombians know how to come together and support one another.

“Dear Colombia, my heart is with everyone who felt this earthquake today, and with the families going through moments of anguish. In times like these, we Colombians know how to come together and support one another,” she said.

She also sent a message of unity, calling on people to remain vigilant and follow the guidance of the relevant authorities: “All my strength and my love for my homeland. Let’s hold each other close and keep watching for instructions, so that we can help as soon as possible.”

Colombia querida, mi corazón está con todos los que hoy sintieron este terremoto y con las familias que están pasando momentos de angustia.

En momentos así, los colombianos sabemos unirnos y sostenernos unos a otros. Toda mi fuerza y mi amor para mi tierra. Abracémonos fuerte y…

— Shakira (@shakira) August 10, 2026