Earthquake in Tolima Damages 224 Homes and 16 Hospitals
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday caused significant material damage in the Tolima department, but fortunately there were no fatalities or injuries in the region.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday caused significant material damage in the Tolima department, but fortunately there were no fatalities or injuries in the region.
A devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake, which shook much of Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, left significant material damage in the Tolima department. According to a report by local authorities carried by El Tiempo, the earthquake damaged 224 residential buildings, 16 hospitals, three churches, and 21 educational institutions in at least 25 municipalities.
Despite the extent of the damage, no deaths or injuries have been reported from the region. "It was a terrible earthquake. The building swayed from side to side, and what you do in that moment is scream, pray to God for help that the shaking doesn't last," a resident of the central district of Ibagué told El Tiempo.
According to data from the Governor's Office of Tolima, following a meeting of the Risk Management Council, the hardest-hit municipalities include Chaparral, Ibagué, Dolores, Ataco, Cajamarca, El Espinal, and Ortega. In Cajamarca, Mayor Camilo Valencia reported that three houses were completely destroyed and another 25 were damaged, along with landslides on rural roads.
The airport in Ibagué did not suffer damage and continues normal operations. However, landslides were recorded on the Ibagué-Cajamarca road corridor and on the Fresno-Manizales-Palocabildo section. As a precautionary measure, students in public schools in Ibagué have switched to online classes.
The Health Secretary of Tolima, Luis Eduardo González, confirmed the activation of an orange alert as a preventive measure. "Despite the difficulties, the main hospitals in the department are maintaining their essential services, including water, medical gases, and backup power systems," González told El Tiempo.
Cracks and fissures have been identified in several healthcare facilities, including the Limonar building of the Federico Lleras Acosta Hospital in Ibagué and hospitals in the municipalities of Chaparral, Purificación, and Líbano. Authorities have activated hospital crisis committees, increased the availability of beds, medications, and supplies, and maintain constant communication with the Regional Emergency and Disaster Center of Tolima.
Although Tolima has come through without human casualties, the situation in other parts of Colombia remains uncertain. The Anadolu Agency reports that the United Nations warned on Tuesday that the total number of earthquake casualties could rise as many remote areas have not yet been assessed. Officials state that thousands of people have been injured and hundreds of homes destroyed across the country, with urgent needs including shelter, food, water, and healthcare.
