Colombia Earthquake Leaves 262 Missing and Over 4,400 Injured Across Multiple Regions
A powerful earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, leaving 262 people missing and 4,437 injured. The disaster devastated infrastructure, destroying tens of thousands of homes across the country.
A significant earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, leaving a trail of widespread destruction, injuries, and displacement across multiple regions of the South American nation. According to official data, the seismic event triggered extensive structural damage, affecting numerous municipalities and leaving communities grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.
The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time on August 10. Seismological data indicates that the epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department. The hypocenter of the tremor was situated at a depth of approximately 110 kilometers beneath the earth's surface, sending shockwaves that were felt across a wide area.
The impact of the disaster has been vast, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). Assessments show that 262,154 people were affected across 471 municipalities situated within 15 of the country's 32 departments. Affected areas include Cali, Pereira, Caldas, and Quindío, alongside the epicentral zone in Chocó.
Emergency response and rescue operations have successfully pulled 364 people alive from the wreckage. However, search and rescue teams continue to look for the 262 individuals who remain unaccounted for, while the number of people reported injured has climbed to 4,437.
The physical toll on infrastructure is severe, with a total of 30,664 houses completely destroyed and 136,946 structures sustaining damage. Additionally, 302 buildings have collapsed entirely. Public infrastructure has also suffered immensely, including 3,470 schools, 4,971 community centers, and 352 health centers that were damaged in the tremor.
Transportation and communication networks have faced heavy disruptions due to the scale of the disaster. Reports indicate that 449 roads and 58 bridges were damaged, alongside five regional airports that sustained impacts, further complicating ongoing rescue and relief operations in the affected departments.
