A devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on 10 August 2026, leading to tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. As of the latest reports, at least 287 individuals have been confirmed dead, with recovery efforts ongoing amid concerns for those still unaccounted for.
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Among the casualties was 24-year-old Juan Felipe Giraldo, an eyewear salesman who was found dead under the rubble of a hotel in Pereira, just two days before he was due to marry his fiancée, Natalia Patiño. The couple shared a two-year-old son, and their impending wedding was to take place in Bogotá, Colombia. Tragically, Giraldo had been in Pereira on work-related business when the earthquake struck.
Reports confirm that Giraldo’s body was recovered by local rescue teams at the site of the collapsed Hotel Dibeni, where he had been staying. Authorities released a statement confirming identification by family members amid the efforts to locate survivors. His father, Hernán Giraldo, had held out hope for his son’s survival prior to the recovery of his body. “I’m here waiting to hug my son, alive,” Hernán said, recalling a video clip sent by Juan confirming his safe arrival at the hotel before the quake hit.
Emotional tributes have emerged following Giraldo’s death, with Natalia Patiño sharing a heartfelt message on social media. “Forever and always in my heart… You were the most complete love I ever had,” she wrote, accompanied by a photograph of the couple with their son. Her message encapsulated the deep sense of loss felt by friends and family during this harrowing time.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located near San José del Palmar, approximately 280 kilometres west of the capital, Bogotá. The tremor was strongly felt across nine departments and all 32 departmental capitals, prompting widespread evacuations. Local authorities are working tirelessly to locate survivors, including the assistance of Venezuelan rescue teams who have deployed thermal imaging technology in the area.
Rescue workers remain hopeful despite the grim circumstances, emphasising the importance of continuing their search for survivors. Cristian Acevedo, a member of the rescue teams, stated, “We’ll always have high hopes; we’ve found people alive even 10 days later. The goal is to search and find people alive.” This determination reflects the collective spirit of those involved in the emergency response.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, more than 2,700 individuals were reported missing, with at least 600 suffering injuries, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The scale of the disaster has prompted Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella to declare a national disaster and take immediate action in response to the emergency.
President de la Espriella conveyed his dedication to the affected communities, outlining that he would be overseeing the relief efforts from a command post established in Bogotá. “To the Colombians who are today facing hard times, I want to say: you are not alone. You have a president who hurts for his people and who will do whatever is necessary to protect them,” he affirmed, aiming to reassure and mobilise the country in response to this crisis.
As rescue operations continue, the focus is now not only on locating missing persons but also on providing support to those impacted by the quake. The recovery efforts reflect both the scale of human loss and the resilience of communities coming together during this tragic time. The full extent of the earthquake’s impact will likely unfold in the coming days as further updates are released and efforts are made to aid those in need across the devastated regions of Colombia.