How many people were affected by the earthquake in Colombia?

According to the latest official figures, 111 people were killed and 87 were injured.

How is the European Union helping Colombia after the earthquake?

The EU has mobilized its Copernicus satellite system to assist in rescue operations and damage assessment, and it is ready to provide additional assistance.

World

EU mobilizes Copernicus satellites to aid Colombia

Q: Where was the epicenter and what was the magnitude of the earthquake?

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 107 kilometers near the town of San Jose del Palmar in the province of Choco, on Colombia's Pacific coast.

B.C. · Prije 2h | 2 min

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday killed 111 people, and the European Commission president said Europe is ready to provide additional assistance.

Summary

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing 111 people and injuring 87.
Colombia's president announced a state of emergency, with the coffee region and the city of Cali hardest hit.
The EU activated its Copernicus satellite system and said it is ready to provide additional assistance.
The quake was also felt in neighboring countries: Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.

The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to assist Colombia in rescue operations following a devastating earthquake that struck the western part of the country on Monday, August 10, 2026. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this on social media, highlighting Europe's solidarity with the Colombian people.

"Tonight, Europe's heart is with the Colombian people after the terrible earthquake in the Choco region. We have already mobilized Copernicus, our satellite system, to facilitate rescue operations. And we are ready to provide additional assistance," von der Leyen wrote in a post on X, adding in Spanish, "Estamos con ustedes" (We are with you), alongside the flags of the EU and Colombia.

Death toll rises, president declares state of emergency

According to the latest official figures, the 7.4-magnitude earthquake has killed 111 people and injured 87. Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella announced that he will declare a state of emergency during the day due to the extensive destruction caused by the quake.

The hardest-hit areas include the coffee-growing tourist region and Cali, the country's third-largest city. The epicenter, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, was at a depth of 107 kilometers near the town of San Jose del Palmar, in the sparsely populated province of Choco on Colombia's Pacific coast.

Earthquake felt in neighboring countries

Tremors were felt across Colombia and in neighboring countries. Residents experienced the quake in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, underscoring the strength of this seismic event.

The European Union has so far mobilized the Copernicus satellite system, whose data will be used to assess damage and coordinate rescue operations on the ground. According to von der Leyen, Brussels is ready to respond to any additional requests for assistance from Colombian authorities.