Colombia Declares Three Days of National Mourning After Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake

Following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella declared three days of national mourning as the death toll surpassed 200.

Key points

• The seismic event on August 10 had its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó, and is recorded as the strongest in Colombia this century.
• Regional authorities estimate the death toll is near 240, while over 2,000 people have been injured and numerous buildings collapsed in cities like Cali and Pereira.
• The United States announced a $15.5 million emergency aid package alongside a Disaster Assistance Response Team, while other international donors including the European Union and Spain pledged funding.
• Rescue workers and volunteers continue searching through rubble within the critical 72-hour window following the tremor.

Why it matters

The deadliest earthquake to hit Colombia in decades has left widespread structural destruction across multiple departments, prompting a national state of emergency and international humanitarian mobilization.