On Monday morning, August 10, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck near the town of San José del Palmar in Colombia's Chocó Department. According to global and local news outlets, the death toll has reached 132, with at least 570 people injured, as casualty figures continue to update hourly.

The Colombian government declared a state of national disaster following the seismic activity. According to TASS, citing acting head Carl Skau, the UN World Food Programme announced full support and emergency assistance for the Colombian government.

RIA Novosti, citing BluRadio, reported that at least 883 people sought medical assistance in the city of Cali alone following the tremors.

According to MIR 24, the earthquake was felt in neighboring countries. Across Colombia, 37 houses were completely destroyed, 1,575 homes sustained damage, along with 18 health centers, 52 schools, 18 roads, and 7 airports. The city of Manizales suffered severe damage, where the tower of the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary—the tallest building in the country for 33 years—collapsed. The natural disaster occurred just days after Colombia elected a new president.

Rg.ru reported that rescuers in Cali successfully pulled a woman and her six-month-old infant from the rubble of a collapsed building. The child sustained minor injuries and received immediate medical care. Emergency crews continue rescue operations to free an elderly couple and their seven-month-old grandchild trapped under another collapsed structure.