3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Aug 10, 2026 08:50 PM IST

A powerful earthquake in western Colombia on Monday shook the country and neighbouring Ecuador, prompting people to evacuate homes and buildings. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake is reported to be of 7.4 magnitude. At least 20 people have been killed in the earthquake, an AP report stated.

The mayor of Cali, a city in Colombia with 2 million people, Alejandro Eder, on Sunday said that at least 20 buildings have collapsed after the earthquake and several people are trapped in the collapsed structures, adding that the rescue operation was ongoing.

The epicentre of the earthquake is reported to be in San José del Palmar, a community about 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, AP reported. San José del Palmar constitutes about 4,800 people in the Choco region and the USGS said it struck at a depth of 66 miles (107 kilometers).

Colombia Earthquake People stand outside their homes after a quake was felt in Bogota, Colombia. (AP Photo)

Choco Governor Nubia Córdoba said on social media that in the regional capital, “there are injuries and serious damage to buildings,” but didn’t provide further details.

“We have ⁠just experienced a major earthquake in the ‌department of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage ⁠to buildings ⁠in the capital, Quibdo. We are already carrying ⁠out ‌a damage assessment ​and will issue ‌the first official report shortly,” Governor Cordoba said ‌on X.

As per the footage shared by local media and other videos that have now gone viral on social media, homes and buildings could be seen collapsing in the cities of Pereira, Cali and Quibdo.

According to an AP report, in Manizales, which is situated about 300 kilometres from Bogota, one of the towers of the neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed and fell on the nave.

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