A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on the morning of Monday, Aug. 10. The Colombian Geological Service placed the epicenter near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó. The tremor was felt across several regions of the country, causing damage, evacuations, and injuries.
The earthquake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time at a depth of approximately 100 kilometers. The magnitude figure was revised from an initial estimate, according to early reports.
Cities where the quake was felt included Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, and Popayán. Reports also came from Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela.
In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, authorities reported injuries and building damage. Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba said emergency teams had begun assessing conditions across municipalities in the department.
Damage was also reported in Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. In Manizales, the Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral was among the affected structures.
In Bogotá, Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said initial reports showed no major damage, though preventive evacuations were carried out at various buildings.
President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response and announced he would travel to Pereira to assess the situation firsthand.
The preliminary national death toll stands at 70. Emergency agencies continue evaluating homes, public buildings, and roads to determine the full extent of the disaster.
No tsunami alert was issued.
Seven aftershocks had been recorded within four hours of the earthquake, the strongest measuring 4.8.
Evangelical response
The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL) issued a statement on social media.
"Faced with the strong earthquake recorded this morning in our country, from CEDECOL we join in prayer for the families, communities, and persons who may have been affected. We pray for those who have suffered losses, for those who find themselves in the midst of emergency situations, and for all the relief organizations working to attend to this situation.
"We ask God to bring protection, strength, comfort, and wisdom to those who are responding to the emergency.
"Today, as the Church, we raise our voice in prayer for Colombia."
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
