A magnitude 7.4 earthquake [1] struck western Colombia and neighboring Ecuador on Monday morning, causing widespread destruction across the region.
The disaster highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure in the Andean region, where deep tectonic activity can trigger catastrophic surface damage in densely populated areas.
The quake occurred at 12:34 UTC on Aug. 10, 2026, which was 7:34 a.m. local time in Colombia [2]. The epicentre was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó Department [2]. Reports on the distance from the capital vary, with sources placing the epicentre between 150 [2] and 250 [6] miles west of Bogotá.
Casualty reports have fluctuated as rescue operations continue. While some early reports cited 69 deaths [2], other sources have confirmed at least 111 [1] and as many as 132 people died [4]. Local authorities are still searching through rubble for survivors in the hardest-hit zones.
Experts said the quake was caused by a deep tectonic event [6]. The tremor was felt strongly in Bogotá, leading to chaos on the streets as residents evacuated buildings.
Emergency crews are currently focused on the Chocó Department, where the proximity to the epicentre caused the most severe structural failures. Coordination between Colombian and Ecuadorian officials is ongoing to manage the cross-border impact of the disaster.
“A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia and neighboring Ecuador”
The variance in death tolls and epicentre coordinates reflects the initial chaos of a large-scale disaster response. The event underscores the ongoing seismic risk for Colombia and Ecuador, where the interaction of tectonic plates frequently produces high-magnitude events that challenge regional emergency preparedness and urban building codes.
