Bogota, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At least 18 people were killed in Pereira in western Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the region, city Mayor Mauricio Salazar said on Monday.
Salazar told Caracol Radio that the 7.4-magnitude earthquake caused casualties in Pereira, while authorities continued assessing the extent of the damage.
The China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC) reported that a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia at 8:34 p.m. local time on Monday. The epicentre was located at 4.85 degrees north latitude and 76.15 degrees west longitude, at a depth of 80 km, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences separately recorded the earthquake at magnitude 6.8, placing its epicentre at 4.86 degrees north latitude and 76.19 degrees west longitude at a depth of 93.7 km.
Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella said he had taken charge of the emergency response in San Jose del Palmar and directed the establishment of a Unified Command Post at the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
The command centre will coordinate relief operations, assess damage and address the needs of affected communities. The President also sought a detailed report from the UNGRD director on the situation and the most urgent requirements.
“I will also be personally in Pereira to accompany the affected people and verify the Government’s response. You are not alone. The State is present and acting,” he said in a post on X.
De La Espriella said he was heading to Bogota to oversee the wider emergency response and would personally coordinate relief efforts for communities in Choco, the Coffee-Growers’ Axis and other affected areas.
Addressing Colombians affected by the disaster, the President said the government would provide assistance and support recovery and reconstruction efforts in the affected regions.
Rescue and relief agencies were continuing operations as authorities assessed the full impact of the earthquake.
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