Colombia's earthquake toll rises to 329 dead and more than 300,000 affected

MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Saturday, August 22nd 2026 - 08:47 UTC

Records of material damage have also risen substantially: 171,273 homes damaged, 31,183 destroyed and 553 buildings collapsed, mainly in Cali and Pereira, the two worst-hit cities

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western and central Colombia on August 10 has left 329 dead, 4,600 injured and 247 missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Management Unit's assessment as of Friday. The number of people affected stands at 314,751, from 154,014 families, across 481 municipalities in 16 of the country's 32 departments.

Records of material damage have also risen substantially: 171,273 homes damaged, 31,183 destroyed and 553 buildings collapsed, mainly in Cali and Pereira, the two worst-hit cities. Damage has also been recorded at 367 health centres, 3,710 schools, 5,584 community centres and 427 roads. The number of people rescued alive remains at 364.