BREAKING Powerful Earthquake in Colombia Causes Over 110 Deaths and Damages Cathedrals, Basilica, and Churches


A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, August 10, 2026, killing at least 111 people, injuring 87 others, and leaving many trapped under the rubble of collapsed structures. Newly inaugurated Catholic President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of national disaster to mobilize immediate emergency resources and coordinate rescue operations.

[1, 2, 3]

Key Details of the Earthquake

  • Date and Time: Monday, August 10, 2026, at 07:34 AM local time.
  • Epicentre: Located near the municipality of San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, roughly 400 kilometres west of Bogotá.
  • Depth: Measured at 107 kilometres (66 miles) below the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
  • Impact Scale: The Colombian Geological Service confirmed this is the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the last decade. Two notable aftershocks reached magnitudes of 2.8 and 4.8. [1, 2, 3]
  • Archbishop and Archdiocese respond on Facebook: The Archdiocese of Manizales posted soon after the quake saying: Amidst the movement of the earth, our faith remains firm. This is the exact moment when the earthquake surprised Manizales and left its mark on our Cathedral. A moment that reminds us, once again, of our human fragility and the need to remain united. Today we raise our prayer for Manizales, for Colombia and for all the people who may have been affected. 🙏🏽 May the Lord sustain us, give us serenity and allow us, united as a community, to face these moments with hope and solidarity. Let us pray for Manizales. Let us pray for Colombia.
  • Monsignor José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez, Archbishop of Manizales, shared a message of closeness and hope with the entire community. Let us unite in prayer and place our city, our families, and all those who have been affected in God's hands.
    Major Damage to Catholic Cathedrals, Basilicas, and Churches
  • The earthquake has dealt a severe blow to Colombia's cultural and religious heritage, heavily damaging several prominent Catholic structures across the region. Local dioceses and emergency management teams are currently assessing the structural integrity of these historic sanctuaries, many of which have been closed indefinitely due to partial collapses, cracking, and falling debris.
    The following notable religious sites have confirmed structural damage:
    • Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary (Manizales): A significant portion of a tower from this historic neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed directly into the central nave.
    • San Pedro Apostol Cathedral (Cali): The city's main cathedral suffered noticeable structural cracking and exterior masonry damage during the prolonged tremors.
    • Cathedral of Our Lady of Poverty (Pereira): Located in the hardest-hit department of Risaralda, this cathedral sustained interior structural damage and falling debris.
    • Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi (Quibdó): The cathedral nearest to the epicentre in Chocó reported superficial cracking and dislodged architectural elements.
Affected Areas and Damages
The earthquake caused widespread destruction across western Colombia and was felt as far away as Bogotá, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. [1, 2, 3]
  • Risaralda Department: The hardest-hit region, where Governor Juan Diego Patiño confirmed at least 42 fatalities, primarily in the city of Pereira. [1, 2]
  • Valle del Cauca Department: At least 27 deaths were reported here. In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, more than 20 buildings collapsed, trapping several residents. [1, 2, 3]
  • Chocó Region: Significant building damage and multiple injuries occurred in the provincial capital of Quibdó. [1, 2]
  • Manizales: At least two people died, and part of the tower of the historic neo-Gothic Manizales Cathedral collapsed into the nave. [1, 2]
  • Bogotá: Tremors were felt strongly for nearly two minutes, causing widespread evacuations, though no structural failures or injuries were initially reported in the capital. [1, 2, 3]
  • Infrastructure: Over 61 buildings have collapsed and 1,600 homes are damaged. There is no tsunami risk for the Pacific coast. [1, 2, 3]
Transport and Government Response
  • Airport Closures: Commercial flight operations have been suspended at seven regional airports—including Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura—while officials evaluate structural damage. The facilities are currently restricted to medical and government emergency flights. [1, 2, 3]
  • Rescue Efforts: Military personnel and specialized search-and-rescue teams have been deployed to dig through the debris for survivors. [1, 2]
  • International Aid: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. government is monitoring the disaster and stands ready to assist. [1]

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