Russia

Death toll from earthquake in Colombia climbs to 319

TASS English · 2026-08-20

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near San Jose del Palmar, Colombia, resulting in at least 319 fatalities, 260 missing persons, and significant destruction of infrastructure, including nearly 31,000 houses and 151,995 buildings damaged. • Why it matters: The earthquake has had a devastating impact on communities across 15 departments in Colombia, highlighting the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and the urgent need for disaster response and recovery efforts. • What to watch next: Authorities will continue search and rescue operations for the missing, assess the full extent of the damage, and implement recovery plans to support affected communities.

Natural DisastersDeath toll from earthquake in Colombia climbs to 319 According to the latest official update, the earthquake destroyed almost 31,000 houses and damaged 151,995 buildingsBUENOS AIRES, August 20. /TASS/. At least 319 people died in a recent earthquake in Colombia, with 260 others missing, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported. "As many as 319 people died, 4,469 more were injured, 260 others remain missing and another 364 were rescued," the unit said on its X page. Moreover, emergency services rescued 549 animals. According to the latest official update, the earthquake destroyed almost 31,000 houses and damaged 151,995 buildings. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the city of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s western Choco department on August 10. According to authorities, it affected 15 departments. Earlier reports put the death toll at 312. TagsNatural disastersJapan seeks to integrate into NATO, Chinese ambassador to Russia saysAccording to Zhang Hanhui, the official Tokyo's steps are steadily eroding the peaceful nature of the Japanese ConstitutionRead moreUN deputy chief declines to assess Ukraine coordinator’s remarksTom Fletcher's statement followed a question about whether he considered Matthias Schmale’s actions to be a violation of Article 100 of the UN Charter, which requires UN staff to be impartial and independentRead moreSome 250 drones were flying toward Moscow Region during nightMayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were destroyed at distant locationsRead moreUS establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outletAccording to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle EastRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreNovak, Siluanov comment on Russia’s GDP growth, additional support for regionsTASS has compiled the key statements on the economic situation in RussiaRead moreRussia’s grain harvest to reach 100 mln metric tons in coming daysRussian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut noted that the volume harvested this year is higher than last yearRead moreUkrainian attack kills one, wounds two civilians in Belgorod RegionThe regional emergency headquarters reported that a woman sustained shrapnel wounds to her shoulder, thigh, and knee joint, and was hospitalizedRead moreRussia’s trade infrastructure resilient despite terrorist attacks — PutinThe Russian president admitted that operations are running under intense pressureRead morePress review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacksTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17thRead moreUS fighter jet flies over Baltic Sea near Russia’s Kaliningrad Region — sourceThe aircraft flew in from Reykjavík, passing through the airspace of Norway and Sweden along the way, and also flying over Poland Read moreUkrainian forces attack minibus on Novorossiya highway in DPRDriver killedRead moreDeflation in Russia stands at 0.02% from August 11 to 17, 2026 — RosstatConsumer prices in Russia have declined by 0.08% since the beginning of AugustRead moreRussian troops liberate Vodyanskoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreRussia exploring railway routes to Indian Ocean — Deputy Prime MinisterSpecifically, the so-called eastern bypass of the Caspian Sea is being ramped upRead moreAuthorities expect fuel situation to improve as refineries return from maintenanceDeputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the Russian government is monitoring the fuel market on a daily basis and working with companies to redirect fuel supplies to regions facing shortagesRead moreTrump announced unprecedented economic war against IranThe US president said that Tehran 'failed' to seize the opportunity to make a dealRead moreSome EU countries whipping up Russophobic hysteria to delegitimize elections — diplomatMaria Zakharova said it was not ruled out that such media campaigns might complicate the situation around the votingRead moreRada may change location for safety reasons — agencyThe Rada building is located in the center of KievRead moreRussian athletes’ problems with entry visas to last for no more than one year — ministerMikhail Degtyarev believes the sports federations will start withdrawing from the countries that assume the most anti-Russian positionRead moreRussian aircraft to begin firefighting in Serbia on August 20 — group headAircraft Commander Andrey Vilkov says the city of Nis "is welcoming us with open arms and wonderful people"Read moreRussian Emergencies Ministry sends aircraft to Serbia at its request to fight wildfiresThe Russian Il-76 aircraft is equipped with specialized firefighting equipment, including water-dropping systems for combating large blazesRead moreINTERVIEW: London has no interest in closer Russia-Europe ties, ambassador saysThe British are, in essence, among the architects of the prolonged and deadly confrontation in Ukraine, Andrey Kelin saidRead moreNetanyahu weighs confrontation with Trump — mediaAccording to the sources, Donald Trump has shifted to issuing ultimatums in his talks with Benjamin Netanyahu that give little consideration to Israel’s interestsRead moreRussia entitled to view UK as party to Ukrainian conflict — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said he feels sorry for the UK if it stays with Ukraine until the very endRead moreTrump says he is only US president to establish contact with KimThe US president added that Japan, South Korea, and other nations are "a lot safer if I'm president than somebody else is president"Read morePutin stresses need to strengthen Russia’s sovereigntyThe president highlighted that Russia was already implementing a plan for structural changes in the economyRead moreTrump leaves open possibility of further sanctions on IranThe US president said "very draconian sanctions" were being consideredRead moreJapan indulging in dangerous experiments in sphere of nuclear policy — Chinese diplomatZhang Hanhui noted that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids clearly stating that her country will not import nuclear weaponsRead moreTrump says North Korea has 57 'very powerful' nuclear weaponsDonald Trump added that he would not have allowed it, had he been president earlierRead moreRussia’s key task is transition to sustainable economic development model — NovakAccording to the Russian deputy prime minister, this is precisely what the structural transformation plan is aimed atRead moreRussia reminds Japanese ambassador that it paid huge price for Kurils — MFARussia summoned the Japanese ambassador following Tokyo’s protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Island of IturupRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read morePress review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via OmanTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19thRead moreNorth Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warns Japan of strike in response to possible threatKim Yo Jong stated that the DPRK is closely monitoring Japan’s attempts to build up its military capabilitiesRead moreFACTBOX: Putin’s statements on positive economic growth, impact of Ukrainian attacksBoosting investment activity is the primary condition for economic growth in Russia, the head of state saidRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 124 Ukrainian dronesSpokesman Ivan Bigma said that the battlegroup had also destroyed 98 Ukrainian hexacopters and five HIMARS projectilesRead moreChina calls on Japan not to play with fire on nuclear weapons matters — ambassadorZhang Hanhui said that a nuclear arms race in the region could erupt at any moment if Tokyo decides to develop nuclear weaponsRead moreFrench politician calls Fyodorov's speech disaster for ZelenskyFlorian Philippot advised that the former Ukrainian defense minister watch his safetyRead moreEx-deputy head of Zelensky’s office Mudraya detained — lawmakerIrina Mudraya is currently under an investigative procedure at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreRussia awaits interesting proposals from Vatican envoy — Federation CouncilFederation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Grigory Karasin noted that Russia welcomes visits by foreign officials and politicians who come to reach agreementsRead moreRussia, China to oppose Japan’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui also said that Moscow and Beijing think it necessary to "resolutely oppose Japan's accelerated remilitarization"Read moreOver 30 shelling attacks by Ukrainian troops reported in DPR in past dayFive houses, six civilian infrastructure facilities, several trucks, passenger cars and other vehicles were damagedRead moreNATO vows to defend US bases in Europe — ReutersEarlier, the anonymous sources claimed that Iran is allegedly prepared to launch strikes against US bases not only in the Middle EastRead moreIran has enough currency to buy goods, medicine in coming months — Central BankAbdolnasser Hemmati says Iran is using "alternative solutions to ensure a sustainable supply of resources"Read more20 Brazilian mercenaries eliminated in special military operation zoneAn official in Russian law enforcement structures said that after being recruited via social networks, they came to Colombia and signed contracts with the Ukrainian armyRead moreInvestigators probe into crimes of French mercenaries who killed Russian prisoners of warIt is reported that Russia’s Investigative Committee will establish all the circumstances of what has happened to hold accountable all those responsible for committing this crimeRead moreDPRK supports Russia's actions to protect sovereignty, WPK Central Committee officialKim Yo Jong placed responsibility for the outbreak and continuation of the Ukrainian crisis on the United States and other Western countriesRead moreKhmara's appointment may lead Ukraine to see tougher mobilization, women's battalions — MPYevgeny Khmara replaced Mikhail Fyodorov, who was dismissed on July 14Read moreChina, Russia insist that results of WW II regarding Japan are indisputableZhang Hanhui says Beijing and Moscow think it essential "to resolutely oppose any erroneous actions or statements aimed at rewriting the history of Japanese colonial aggression"Read moreRussia not going to terminate agreements with NATO, EU, WTO, IMF — envoyGarry Minkh says these documents can still be used as instruments for dialogue with the WestRead moreNABU charges former deputy head of Zelensky’s office — lawyerThe National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine also searched two locationsRead moreWeakening US 'nuclear umbrella' increases risk of nuclear proliferation — TVResearchers note that many US allies perceive Washington as increasingly distant and unreliable in providing nuclear deterrenceRead moreEuropean gas storage facilities could be depleted by April 2027 — HandelsblattIf the pace of purchases remains unchanged, storage facilities will be only 69% full by November 1, in which case they could be depleted by April, when Europe’s heating season ends, the newspaper said Read moreRussian Baltic Fleet ships conduct naval drills with gun practiceAccording to the exercise scenario, the naval crews detected approaching enemy UAVs, put the ships’ air defense systems on combat alert, and analyzed the obtained air situation dataRead moreDialogue with US to be fruitless, unless Iran combat ready — Majlis speakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said "it is Washington and the war it unleashed that are causing instability in the region and disrupting normal trade routes"Read moreVerkhovna Rada approves new Ukrainian foreign, defense ministersProtests against Mikhail Fyodorov’s dismissal as defense minister have continued for 34 daysRead moreUkraine's cabinet initiates suspensions of Sense Bank leaders amid scandalThe bank is mentioned in newly released recordings by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreChina may reduce reliance on Straits of Hormuz and Malacca via NSR — FortuneAccording to the publication, interest in the Arctic route has surged following the effective suspension of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz due to the war involving the US, Israel, and IranRead moreRussia’s Matvey Safonov ranked 10th among world’s best goalkeepers — ESPNThe ranking of the world’s best goalkeepers is topped by Spain’s David Raya from England’s Arsenal FCRead moreEU readies infrastructure for large-scale military conflict — diplomatAttention is being paid, among other things, to adapting the civilian transport and logistics infrastructure to the tasks of military planning and operational mobility, Yulia Zhdanova saidRead moreTrump says blockade of Hormuz Strait was successful, now it is open"No boats have gotten into Iran" since the blockade started, the US president saidRead moreWhat to know about new '103 for 103' POW exchange between Russia, UkraineThe Russian servicemen are currently in BelarusRead moreStrike on Abu-Duhur could provoke military clash between Israel, Turkey, Syria — US envoyAccording to Tom Barrack, the lack of clear channels of communication between the states could have made the situation "much more serious"Read moreNew batch of Pantsir-S, Pantsir-SMD systems delivered to troops — RostecThe system has shown itself as one of the most effective means of countering air targetsRead moreISU grants neutral status to four more Russian figure skaters — statementThe four Russian athletes at the issue are Kira Domozhirova, Viktor Potapov, Milana Kuzmina and Dmitry Studenikin Read moreRussia is China’s most reliable supplier of energy sources — Russian senatorAndrey Denisov says oil supplies from Russia to China grew by 92% in the first seven months amid the crisis around the Strait of HormuzRead moreDamage reported at Ufa oil refinery as Russia intercepts 453 Ukrainian drones overnightA medical university student from India was injured in the attackRead moreThe Economist reports panic in Ukraine over shortage of Patriot missilesAs winter approaches, Ukraine has requested at least 300 interceptor missiles for Patriot systemsRead moreCyprus taking precautions against potential threats — news agencyThe source said that four Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jets, as well as the Nikiforos Fokas frigate, are currently stationed in CyprusRead moreZelensky’s office unhappy with US appointment of its people to key positions in UkraineDeputy head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Irina Mudraya expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of control over head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Alexander KlimenkoRead moreWestern countries on UNSC refuse to compromise on peace, security issues — Russian envoyVasily Nebenzya stated that decisions that are not adopted unanimously do not carry the same weight on the ground as consensus resolutionsRead moreTrump says pipelines can reduce Hormuz Strait's importanceRecord numbers of pipelines are being built, the US president addedRead moreRada appoints Khmara as defense ministerThe decision was backed by 312 votes, with a minimum of 226 requiredRead moreBank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for August 20 to 85.13 rublesThe official euro exchange rate was lowered by 18.55 kopecks to 98.5457 rublesRead moreRussia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesmanAccording to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold Read moreUkraine’s Zelensky should resign before he is forced into it — German dailyThe author of the German-based Berliner Zeitung article believes that instability and weakening of negotiating positions are not the main threat to the countryRead moreRussian troops clear 400 buildings of Ukrainian forces in liberating VodyanskoyeAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement was liberated on August 19Read moreReadiness to ask no questions led Khmara to defense minister’s seat — DPR politicianAlexey Muratov added that a similar principle was used in the case of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga, whose main task is "to sell Kiev to Western sponsors, begging for money and weapons in exchange for guarantees Kiev cannot fulfill"Read moreRussia to respond proportionately to Kiev’s terror attacks — diplomatMaria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime demonstrated a complete inability to negotiateRead moreTehran virtually halts oil exports to foreign markets — central bank governorAbdolnaser Hemmati says that the country has foreign exchange reservesRead moreLiberation of Kudiyevka creates logistical difficulties for Ukrainian troops — officialThe Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Kudiyevka settlement was liberated on August 16Read moreLarge-scale NATO air force activity recorded near Kaliningrad — Russian war correspondentYevgeny Poddubny reported that multiple reconnaissance aircraft operated simultaneously close to the Russian borderRead moreAmerican mercenary Conor Kennedy arrested in absentia in Russia, placed on wanted listHe participated in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian forces incognitoRead moreWith Khmara as defense minister Ukraine to continue sabotage against Russia — MPAlexander Boroday noted that Khmara essentially remains an "SBU special forces operative", which is why he will use the same methods in his new position that he used previouslyRead moreRussian Su-25 plane safely returns to airfield in Ukraine sortie after Stinger strikeThe aircraft is "quite survivable in combat conditions", a navigator of a Russian air squadron notedRead moreRussia works to prevent Pristina from carrying out ethnic cleansing in Kosovo — envoySupporting Serbia in the international arena is one of the most important directions of Russia's foreign policy, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko stressedRead moreJapan has enough plutonium to make 5.500 nuclear warheads — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui concluded that Japan's "transformation into a nuclear power no longer looks like a fantasy"Read moreDate for new Russia-US contacts on removing ‘irritants’ being agreed upon — diplomatMaria Zakharova added that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US partners "to move toward substantive discussions on the issues that are of priority for us"Read moreRussian Emergencies Ministry aircraft arrives in Serbia to help fight major wildfiresThe aircraft landed at Nis airport Read moreKhmara appointed defense minister by decision of Zelensky’s Western patrons — expertSergey Yurchenko added that the situation at the front and on the international stage will not change after this appointment, since it is too late for Ukraine to make any changesRead moreRussia’s ombudswoman sends 60 letters to UN over Kiev's war crimes against civiliansMost of them remain unansweredRead moreKusturica slams blocking of his YouTube channel as 'war on truth'Official reason for the channel's removal was not specifiedRead moreUS remains main threat to North Korea’s security — Kim Jong Un’s sisterKim Yo Jong also noted that Pyongyang attaches no significance to the reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea announced by US President Donald TrumpRead moreZelensky’s position threatened most since 2022 by Fyodorov’s comment — WSJAccording to the publication, Mikhail Fyodorov’s words are interpreted in Kiev "as the opening gambit in a potential run for the presidency"Read moreRussia has begun importing fuel to boost domestic supplies — NovakThe Russian government earlier decided to extend the import damper mechanism to diesel fuel, a move intended to provide additional economic incentives for supplying imported diesel to the domestic market if necessaryRead moreCuba wants to become BRICS’ full-fledged member — embassyAccording to the embassy, this step is a top priority for the country amid the unprecedented escalation of the US economic war against itRead moreWest intends to monitor war financing in Ukraine with help of Khmara, expert saysAccording to Vitaly Kiselyov, at present the West is monitoring every personnel appointment in Ukraine, including those in the cabinetRead moreUkraine plans to legalize disposal of missing soldiers' bodies as surgical waste — sourceAccording to the Russian security source, the measure is being considered in part because Ukrainian morgues are overcrowded with unidentified remainsRead moreNo proposals on new contacts with US negotiators so far — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova said that Moscow is "ready to hear Washington’s constructive initiatives" on the settlementRead moreRussia views US threats against Oman as efforts to apply pressure — diplomatAccording to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko, Moscow hopes for a swift resolution of the situation and the restoration of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf regionRead more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

IN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in Kiev

• What happened: Russian forces conducted a significant precision strike on multiple defense-tech sites in and around Kiev, targeting facilities associated with...

Russia

Russian stocks down as main trading session opens

• What happened: Russia's stock market opened lower, with the MOEX and RTS indices dropping by 0.1% before recovering to positive territory shortly after. ...

Russia

Ukrainian army facing serious shortages of Patriot missiles — Russian defense source

• What happened: The Ukrainian army is facing significant shortages of Patriot missiles, exacerbated by their extensive use in the Middle East and a global supp...

Russia

Fuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situation

• What happened: Russia has started importing fuel to address domestic market shortages, with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announcing that maintenance ...

Russia

Zaporozhye NPP loses external power supply, switches to backup power from generators

• What happened: The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine lost its external power supply after the last 330-kV power line was shut down due to damag...

Russia

Ukraine’s losses from port shutdowns exceed $2 bln

• What happened: Ukraine has incurred losses exceeding $2 billion due to the ongoing shutdown of its main seaports—Odessa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny—since July 22...