Colombia's earthquake death toll rises to 250 as military joins rescue effort

At least 250 people have died in Monday's 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia, Reuters reported, with the military now assisting rescue teams in the disaster zone.

FILE PHOTO: A man sits near debris at the Torres de Limonar building in the aftermath of an earthquake, in Cali, Colombia, August 11, 2026.

REUTERS/Sergio Acero

Colombia's Geological Service (SGC) said the quake, which was the country's strongest this century, was centered in the Pacific coastal department of Chaco. Power and basic services remain cut off in many indigenous communities there, hampering relief work.

The disaster hit just days after President Abelardo De La Espriella took office. He has since visited the affected areas, promising aid to residents who lost their homes.

Air travel has also been disrupted. Five airports — in Armenia, Buenaventura, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales — reopened to commercial flights on Tuesday, while Cartago and Pereira remain restricted to public service aircraft, Colombia's National Civil Aviation office said. Officials said terminals were being reopened gradually, "prioritizing the safety of passengers and crews, as well as maintaining regional air connectivity".

Colombia lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country's last major quake in the Chaco region, in 1999, killed more than 1,000 people.

(jh)

Source: PAP