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Rescuers search rubble in Cali as Colombia’s strongest quake in decades hits

Euronews World · 2026-08-11

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, primarily affecting Cali, resulting in over 130 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and significant structural damage. • Why it matters: This earthquake is the strongest in Colombia this century, prompting a national disaster declaration and urgent calls for assistance as rescue efforts continue amidst fears of rising casualties. • What to watch next: Authorities will monitor the ongoing rescue operations, assess the full extent of the damage, and provide updates on the number of missing individuals and recovery efforts.

No Comment Video. Rescuers search rubble in Cali as Colombia’s strongest quake in decades hits Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 11/08/2026 - 8:53 GMT+2 Rescuers in Cali search rubble after Colombia’s strongest quake this century, which killed over 130 people, left hundreds injured and many missing. In Cali, Colombia's third‑most populous city after Bogotá and Medellín, residents and rescue workers picked their way through shattered concrete and twisted steel on Monday 10 August 2026, searching for survivors as ambulances crowded the streets around collapsed buildings. The footage shows people clearing rubble by hand and passing debris along human chains, while injured survivors are led away from the wreckage. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT A six-month-old baby and her mother were among those pulled from beneath a five-storey building, while patients were evacuated from a hospital after part of the structure collapsed. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 132 people and injuring 570, according to an evening update from the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, with the toll expected to rise. The US Geological Survey placed the epicentre near San Jose del Palmar in Choco province, 400 kilometres west of Bogota, at a depth of 107 kilometres. Pereira alone reported 60 deaths, and 86 buildings collapsed nationwide. Newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster, with more than 1,600 buildings damaged. With at least 188 people still missing, Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder appealed to Bogotá and Medellín for urgent assistance. The quake was Colombia's strongest in the 21st century. Colombia Earthquake Cali natural disaster Bogotá Search and rescue Top stories Now playing Next Rescuers search rubble in Cali as Colombia’s strongest quake in decades hits Now playing Next Spain’s Huelva blaze threatens homes, 800 evacuated amid severe drought Now playing Next Watch: Competitors battle it out in France's pig-squealing contest Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 11th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 10th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Colombia declares state of emergency after earthquake kills 111 Now playing Next 'Chess player' Iran says Hormuz stays shut until US pays up Now playing Next Spain solar eclipse: Expert advice on the best viewing spots Now playing Next New temperature record in July hit 900 million people Now playing Next Roman shipwreck with hundreds of amphorae found off Sicily Now playing Next 'Chess player' Iran says Hormuz stays shut until US pays up Now playing Next Messi says farewell to his father in hometown Rosario Now playing Next Coral trafficking ring exposed on Aegean island: What is red coral used for and how big is the threat? Now playing Next A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle: Iceland prepares for total solar eclipse Now playing Next Europe battles the flames: Wildfire contained near Athens and evacuations in Spain Now playing Next Drought forces water restrictions across nearly 70% of France, government says ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Firefighters battle wildfire in eastern Spain's Castellón No Comment Hundreds join Copenhagen kayak parade in support of Greenland No Comment Costumed paddleboarders float down Moscow river in carnival No Comment Messi says farewell to his father in hometown Rosario Europe News Ceuta leader wants migrant detention centre after mass influx from Morocco Europe in Motion Road rage: Which countries have the most aggressive drivers? Culture news Inside the Italian prison where inmates find freedom through theatre Sport UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF target embattled Infantino in damning open letter Philippines Days of heavy rain leave at least 13 dead in Philippines, rescuers say Europe News Water levels across the Balkans have fallen to record lows World News Six Colombian rebels killed in 'message' by President Abelardo de la Espriella's new government Europe News Meloni and Frederiksen reiterate opposition to 'uncontrolled immigration' ADVERTISEMENT Europe News One of Kyiv's deadliest single attacks kills 13 in central Russia while five are killed in Ukraine Business Tech giants TSMC and Sony to invest billions in advanced chip sensor plant Culture news Comic Con Astana brings global stars and thousands of cosplay fans to Kazakhstan Europe News Western Europe sets new temperature record hitting 900 million people worldwide Earth News A unique ninety seconds in the 21st century: Spain prepares for historic eclipse trio Europe News Suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan charged in Ireland after extradition Canada Over 20,000 flee wildfires as British Columbia declares state of emergency Ukraine 13 killed in Ukraine and 90 injured as Russia intensifies overnight bombardment campaign of Ukrainian cities ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

Source: Euronews World
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