Strong Earthquake at 7.4 Shakes Colombia and is Felt in Panama
Following the strong earthquake, people evacuated buildings in several areas of Panama City. The Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama preliminarily located the event 350 kilometers southeast of Jaqué, at a depth of 76 kilometers. Colombia updated the magnitude to 7.4.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Monday morning, August 10, and was felt in various parts of Panama City. The Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama reports the following event: Status: PRELIMINARY Date: 2026-08-10 Time: 7:34:29 AM local time Magnitude: 7.2 Depth: 76 km Located in Colombia, 350 km southeast of Jaqué.
‘Our Solidarity’: Mulino Offers Aid to Colombia After Earthquake.
President José Raúl Mulino expressed his solidarity with Colombia on Monday, August 10, following the powerful earthquake that caused casualties and damage to infrastructure in two cities in that country. At least 71 people died in Pereira and Manizales, two cities in central Colombia, one of the areas hardest hit by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook much of the country. The quake was felt across much of Panama, including the capital.
Several Airport Routes from Panama Affected and on Alert Due to the Earthquake in Colombia.
Damage at Pereira Airport. Colombia’s Civil Aeronautics Authority ordered the suspension of operations at seven airports while assessing potential damage to terminal infrastructure. Panama operates flights to Pereira and Cali, two of the affected cities.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday, August 10, caused damage to airport infrastructure and led to the temporary suspension of operations at six airports, while authorities conduct inspections to determine safety conditions. The Civil Aeronautics Authority initially reported damage at the airports of Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura, and later confirmed the suspension of operations in Cali, but operations were resumed after it was verified that there was no significant damage to the structure.
Colombia’s President De la Espriella Convenes an Emergency Committee to Address Earthquake Damage.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella convened an emergency committee on Monday to address the damage caused by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook much of the country and announced that he will travel to Pereira, one of the most affected cities, to support those affected. “I have ordered the installation of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damage and the needs of those affected,” the president stated in X, who assumed office three days ago in the city of Cali, another of the areas most affected by the earthquake: “You are not alone. The State is present and taking action.” The earthquake, which occurred at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT), had its epicenter in the town of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, at a depth of 82 kilometers, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) indicated.
In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó and the closest town to the epicenter, authorities reported injuries and serious damage to buildings, but the earthquake was also strongly felt in several cities in the west and center of the country with structural damage in Pereira, Manizales and Cali. The Vice President of the Colombian Government, José Manuel Restrepo, also spoke out about the emergency and offered his solidarity to the affected families. “Right now, the most important thing is to protect lives, rescue those who remain trapped, care for the injured, and bring aid to the hardest-hit communities,” Restrepo said on X, adding that “together we will overcome this emergency.” Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and assist those affected while the emergency situation is being evaluated.
