Colombia Earthquake: 289 Dead, 143 Missing, and a $10 Billion Reconstruction Effort

A Tragedy That Shows No Mercy

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Colombia on August 10, 2026 has left a trail of destruction that is still being counted. According to the latest official report from President Abelardo de la Espriella, the quake — whose epicenter was located near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó — has so far caused 289 deaths, 4,187 injuries, and 143 missing persons.

These figures, which the president called "preliminary," contrast with the 304 bodies received by the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML), of which 300 have already been identified and returned to their families. "Out of respect for the victims and their families, we will only communicate properly consolidated data," De la Espriella clarified in a speech broadcast Monday night.

"The instruction is to address this emergency with the missing because the most important thing here is to save lives" — Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia

The Drama of the Missing

While rescue teams work against the clock, the so-called "window of hope" for finding survivors under the rubble shrinks hour by hour. Captain Roni Kaplan, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, warned that chances diminish over time, though he stressed that rescuers continue working to locate possible survivors.

The Israeli team — one of three international groups authorized by Colombia to participate in search and rescue operations, along with those from the United States and Ecuador — has already recovered four bodies from the remains of a collapsed building in Cali, one of the hardest-hit cities along with Pereira.

Massive Destruction and Educational Emergency

The damage assessment is overwhelming: 26,945 homes destroyed and 127,557 damaged, 66 collapsed buildings, and more than 186,000 affected people. The emergency has also hit the education system: 2,838 schools suffered damage, and the president announced that classes will be held virtually, though no date has yet been set for the resumption of in-person schooling.

Rain that began on Sunday has worsened conditions for those staying in makeshift shelters and forced the temporary suspension of some debris removal work. In Pereira, families set up in Olaya Herrera Park had to protect their tents with plastic sheeting, while the San Jorge University Hospital experienced flooding.

Argentina Sends Humanitarian Aid

Amid the tragedy, international solidarity is making itself felt. The Argentine government confirmed the dispatch of an Armed Forces contingent that will depart this Tuesday, August 18 from the military airport at El Palomar. This was announced by presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier in a press conference.

The operation will be coordinated by the Joint General Staff of the Armed Forces, under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense headed by Carlos Presti. One of the contingent's leaders will be Colonel Miguel Ángel Wissinger, who already participated in a similar mission in Venezuela following the double earthquake of June 24.

Reconstruction: A "Marshall Plan" for Chocó

President De la Espriella estimated the cost of reconstruction at 30 trillion Colombian pesos (about USD 9.5 billion), and announced housing subsidies and economic relief for victims. To this end, he declared an economic emergency, an exceptional measure supported by the Constitution that allows the government to issue regulations without going through Congress for a limited time.

The president mentioned his idea of implementing a "Marshall Plan" in Chocó, alluding to the project promoted by the United States after World War II to rebuild Western Europe. He also thanked the World Bank for disbursing the first part of a USD 200 million loan, and the 21 countries that offered cooperation.

Shakira and International Solidarity

Colombian singer Shakira visited Chocó and announced she will dedicate "all her personal efforts" to rebuilding the Technological University of Chocó, damaged by the earthquake. Alongside American philanthropist Howard Graham Buffett, she will promote the construction of ten new schools in the department.

"Every day that children don't go to school is a day we pause their future, and we cannot allow that," the artist said. Global Citizen will contribute USD 500,000 and promoter Live Nation another USD 500,000, for a total of one million dollars earmarked for school reconstruction.

The European Union, for its part, announced the shipment of hundreds of tents, blankets, and emergency equipment through Germany, Luxembourg, and Sweden, along with 2 million euros in funds for healthcare, shelter, drinking water, and food.

A Test Colombians Will Overcome

"Believe me, this test is not too big for us; Colombians are used to rising in adversity. I will remain at the forefront of this emergency 24 hours a day," De la Espriella said, in a message of hope amid the pain.

While search operations continue and aftershocks are still being felt, the international community has rallied to help. Reconstruction will be long and costly, but the solidarity and resilience of a people who have already overcome similar tragedies — such as the 1999 Armenia earthquake, which left more than a thousand dead — are the best sign that Colombia will move forward.