Colombia Earthquake 2026: Emergency Guide, Latest News & How to Help

Colombia is recovering from one of the country's most devastating earthquakes in decades. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, at approximately 7:34 a.m. local time, with the epicenter near San José del Palmar, Chocó. The earthquake caused extensive damage across western and central Colombia, particularly in Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Buenaventura and surrounding municipalities. Rescue teams, firefighters, police, soldiers, medical personnel, the Colombian Red Cross, Civil Defense and international rescue teams have been working to locate survivors and assist displaced families.

Latest death toll and damage

According to the latest information reported August 15, at least 294 people have died, 320 remain missing, and nearly 4,000 have been injured. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed or seriously damaged, thousands of families have been displaced, and rescue and recovery operations remain active, with hundreds of aftershocks reported. These figures remain provisional as authorities continue updating information from affected municipalities.

Official warning: Do not rely on social media posts claiming a specific number of additional deaths or missing people has been confirmed unless the information comes directly from Colombian authorities or a recognized news organization.

What happened

The U.S. Embassy reported that the U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at 7:34 a.m. local time, with the epicenter in Chocó. The quake was felt across Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindío, Antioquia, and Bogotá. Major cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó and Armenia experienced significant shaking and structural damage.

20 verified news reports

What to do during an earthquake

DROP — COVER — HOLD ON

If an earthquake begins:

1. Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down. 2. Cover your head and neck — if possible, get underneath a strong table or desk. 3. Hold on to the furniture until the shaking stops.

Stay away from

Move away from windows, glass doors, mirrors, tall furniture, bookcases, shelves, hanging objects, balconies, and exterior walls. Do not run outside while the building is shaking. Do not use elevators. Do not stand in a doorway simply because it looks like a "safe place" — that's outdated advice for older building types.

If you're inside a building

Stay inside until the shaking stops and authorities advise evacuation. Stay away from windows, protect your head, do not use the elevator, and expect aftershocks. Be prepared to evacuate if the building is structurally damaged. If there is visible structural damage, fire, gas leakage, or another immediate danger, evacuate when it is safe to do so.

If you're outside

Move away from buildings, walls, windows, utility poles, electrical cables, trees, bridges, and any structure that could collapse. Stay in an open area if possible.

If you're driving

Slow down, stop in a safe location, and stay inside the vehicle. Avoid bridges and tunnels, stay away from buildings, power lines, and poles, and do not block emergency vehicles.

After the shaking stops

Expect aftershocks. Check yourself and people around you for injuries and provide basic first aid if you're able. Leave seriously damaged buildings and do not re-enter them. Stay away from fallen electrical wires, and if you smell gas, leave the area immediately — don't use matches or electrical switches if you suspect a leak. Use your phone only when necessary, and prefer text messages over calls when networks are overloaded. Follow official instructions and don't spread unverified information on social media.

Earthquake emergency kit — prepare for at least 72 hours

Every household in Colombia should consider keeping an emergency kit ready. Essential items include: drinking water, non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, a whistle, a first-aid kit (gauze, adhesive tape, gloves, antiseptic), personal medication with prescription information, personal hygiene products, masks, a change of clothes, a blanket, waterproof clothing, plastic bags, a multi-purpose tool, copies of identification documents, emergency contact information, house and vehicle keys, a phone charger and power bank, cash, and food and water for pets.

For foreigners specifically, keep copies of your passport, Colombian visa, Cédula de Extranjería (if applicable), insurance policy, emergency medical information, embassy or consulate contact details, and family contact information — ideally inside a waterproof bag alongside your other essential documents.

Emergency numbers in Colombia

National Emergency Number	123
Police	112
Firefighters	119
Ambulance / Medical Emergency	125
Colombian Red Cross	132
Civil Defense	144
Disaster Assistance	111
Departmental Traffic	126
Municipal Traffic	127
Military Emergency Assistance	146
GAULA — Anti-kidnapping / Extortion	165
Child Protection Line	141

Source: Colombian telecommunications regulatory framework (MinTIC)

Key rescue and response organizations

Policía Nacional de Colombia — 112 / 123 · policia.gov.co
Defensa Civil Colombiana — 144 · defensacivil.gov.co
Cruz Roja Colombiana — 132 · cruzrojacolombiana.org
UNGRD (National Disaster Risk Management) · portal.gestiondelriesgo.gov.co

Emergency information for foreigners in Colombia

If you're a foreign national affected by the disaster: contact Colombian emergency services first if there's immediate danger, then contact your embassy or consulate, inform family members, and keep your passport and immigration documents safe. Register with your embassy if your government provides a traveler registration system, follow local evacuation instructions, avoid unnecessary travel into disaster zones, and don't enter damaged buildings. Your embassy may assist with welfare checks, missing-person reports, emergency travel documents, consular guidance, and coordination with local authorities — but embassies generally cannot replace Colombian emergency services or guarantee transportation, accommodation, or financial assistance.

Embassy and consulate contacts

Diplomatic contact information can change — always verify the latest details through your country's official government website before relying on the numbers below.

🇺🇸 United States

U.S. Embassy Bogotá — +57 (601) 275-2000
American Citizens Services: ACSBOGOTA@state.gov
co.usembassy.gov · Earthquake update from the Embassy

🇪🇸 Spain

Embassy of Spain in Bogotá — +57 (601) 622-0090
Email: emb.bogota@maec.es
Consulate General of Spain — +57 (601) 628-3910
Email: cog.bogota@maec.es
exteriores.gob.es

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

British Embassy Bogotá — +57 (601) 326-8300
gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-colombia · Emergency consular contact

🇩🇪 Germany

German Embassy Bogotá — +57 (601) 423-2600
bogota.diplo.de
German Honorary Consul — Medellín — medellin@hk-diplo.de (covers Antioquia and Chocó)

🇮🇹 Italy

Italian Embassy Bogotá — +57 (601) 651-4806
Email: amb.bogota@cert.esteri.it · Consular: bogota.consolare@esteri.it
ambbogota.esteri.it

🇲🇽 Mexico

Embassy of Mexico in Colombia — +57 (601) 747-7160
Email: embamexcol@sre.gob.mx

🇧🇷 Brazil

Embassy of Brazil in Bogotá — Consular email: consular.bogota@itamaraty.gov.br

If your nationality isn't listed above, use the official Colombian diplomatic directory, or contact the Colombian Foreign Ministry (Cancillería) directly at +57 (601) 381-4000 or 01 8000 938 000 — cancilleria.gov.co.

Presidential response and visits to affected zones

President Abelardo De La Espriella declared that the government would use an economic emergency mechanism to respond to the disaster, and on August 12 proposed a reconstruction fund to channel national and international contributions toward rebuilding hospitals, schools, housing, roads, and airports affected by the earthquake. (Official statement)

On August 14, the President concluded a Puesto de Mando Unificado (PMU) meeting in Pereira, reporting a specific regional balance for that city: 41,600 affected families, 140,000 affected people, 259 injured, 94 deaths, 260 missing, and 260 people rescued. These figures are specific to Pereira and should not be confused with the national balance. (Official statement)

That same day, President De La Espriella and First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda visited Quibdó and the Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, where the President announced a special reconstruction plan for the department. (Official statement) The First Lady has been coordinating humanitarian assistance and announced that 12 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies — including food, hygiene kits, and nighttime kits — were scheduled to arrive in Chocó. (Official statement)

Recognized organizations helping earthquake victims

If you want to help earthquake victims, use recognized organizations and their official websites rather than links shared through social media.

Colombian Red Cross — cruzrojacolombiana.org · Donate · IFRC emergency appeal

World Central Kitchen — providing meals to affected residents and responders in Chocó, Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. wck.org/relief/colombia-earthquake-2026

Direct Relief — committed an initial $50,000 emergency grant to Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana and is preparing requested medicines and supplies. directrelief.org/emergency/colombia-earthquake-2026

Save the Children — psychosocial support and child-friendly spaces in affected areas. savethechildren.org

GlobalGiving — Colombia Earthquake Relief Fund. globalgiving.org

Additionally, the European Union announced €2.1 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, and the World Bank disbursed US$200 million to support Colombia's response.

Beware of earthquake donation scams

After a major disaster, fake donation campaigns often appear on social media. Before donating: check the organization's official website directly, never send money to an unknown personal bank account, don't trust screenshots of bank transfers as proof of legitimacy, verify the organization's name and domain carefully, avoid cryptocurrency donations unless independently verified, be particularly careful with WhatsApp fundraising requests, and never give credit card information through an unknown link. If a campaign claims to represent the Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, Direct Relief, or another major organization, go directly to that organization's official website rather than a link received through social media.

Emergency quick reference

This page is compiled from Reuters, Associated Press, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, El País, and official Colombian government sources including the Presidencia, Cancillería, and UNGRD, alongside official statements from the U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions. It is provided for informational purposes and does not replace official guidance — always follow instructions from Colombian authorities and your embassy during an active emergency.