Colombia Quake Death Toll Rises 294 Rescue Efforts Continue

Colombia’s earthquake death toll has risen to 294, with 3,935 injured and 320 missing. More than 115,000 people across 15 departments have been affected as rescue and relief efforts continue.

Emergency response and volunteer relief efforts continue across Colombia following the Aug. 10 earthquake. Photo: EFE

August 16, 2026 Hour: 2:10 am

The Aug. 10 earthquake killed 294 people, injured 3,935 and affected more than 115,000 people across 15 departments.

The death toll from Colombia’s magnitude-7.4 earthquake has risen to 294, with 3,935 people injured and 320 still missing, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) said Saturday.

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The Aug. 10 earthquake has affected 115,461 people across 448 municipalities in 15 departments, leaving more than 54,000 families affected by the disaster.

The damage to homes has been extensive, with 81,506 houses damaged and 14,493 destroyed. Sixty-six buildings have also collapsed in the areas hit by the quake.

Public infrastructure has suffered widespread damage. Authorities have reported damage to 241 health centers, 2,612 educational facilities and 3,621 community centers.

Text Reads: Bogotá is mobilizing to deliver aid to communities affected by the earthquake in Valle del Cauca and Chocó. More than 344 tons of food, hygiene products, and other supplies have been sent to address the emergency and support the affected families.

Transport and public utilities have also been badly affected. The official assessment lists damage to 298 roads, 59 water-supply systems, 44 vehicle bridges and five pedestrian bridges. Five airports have also been damaged.

Emergency teams are continuing search-and-rescue operations, assisting affected communities and conducting technical assessments to determine the extent of the material damage.

The earthquake has also affected 578 animals, 188 of which had been rescued by specialized teams as of Saturday.

As emergency operations continue, residents across Colombia have organized widespread relief efforts. In Bogotá, at least six official collection centers are operating alongside community-led initiatives, including makeshift donation points in the streets and at El Campín stadium.

Volunteers are sorting and packing water, nonperishable food, diapers, hygiene products, blankets and other essential supplies before sending them to some of the hardest-hit communities.

Donations have been sent from several cities to the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas and Quindío. The first shipments from different parts of the country have reached Quibdó, the capital of Chocó.

In affected cities, residents have also provided water and food to rescue workers, while groups from other areas have traveled to help with emergency operations. Local businesses have shared supplies with rescuers.

In Pereira, a 13-year-old boy named Juan Pablo joined efforts to clear rubble on his own initiative after the earthquake. His actions later drew widespread attention on social media.

Rescue operations, assistance to affected communities and technical assessments of the damage remain underway, according to the UNGRD.

Author: MK

Source: Agencies

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