Colombia Earthquake: Death Toll Rises as New President Faces First Major Crisis
A devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, leaving at least 111 people dead and dozens more injured or trapped under collapsed buildings. The quake, which lasted about two minutes, hit at 07:34 local time, with its epicenter located near the Pacific coast, about 69 miles from the surface. The disaster has caused widespread damage across the region, including in major cities like Cali and the port city of Buenaventura.
In Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, more than two dozen structures collapsed, trapping residents and prompting urgent rescue efforts. Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed that people remained trapped, while in Buenaventura, Mayor Ligia del Carmen Cordoba reported that a building collapse killed one person and trapped several others. The full extent of the destruction is still unfolding, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
This earthquake presents the first major challenge to Colombia’s newly inaugurated president, Abelardo De La Espriella, who was sworn in over the weekend. A close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, De La Espriella has been thrust into a crisis that will test his leadership and the country’s emergency response capabilities. In a news conference on Monday afternoon, he confirmed the rising death toll and pledged to mobilize all available resources to assist affected communities.
The international community has begun to offer support, but the immediate focus remains on saving lives and providing relief to the thousands of people displaced or injured. As Colombia grapples with this tragedy, the resilience of its people and the effectiveness of its new government will be under close scrutiny. The coming days will be critical in determining how quickly the nation can recover and rebuild from this catastrophic event.
Shimanta Das 
