The death toll from the country’s strongest earthquake this century remains disputed.
On Wednesday, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on Monday.
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“On behalf of the Colombian people, the National government expresses its profound sorrow over the death of the people who lost their lives as a result of the seismic event that occurred on Aug. 10, 2026, in the national territory, and expresses solidarity with the mourning of the families and friends of these people,” a decree issued by the Presidency said.
For that reason, for three days beginning Wednesday, the national flag will be flown at half-staff at public buildings throughout the country and at Colombia’s diplomatic missions abroad.
According to the document signed by De la Espriella, who assumed the presidency just five days ago, “the loss of human lives brings mourning both to their families and friends, as well as to the national government,” which “expresses solidarity in the face of such a tragedy,” events that also “sadden an entire country.”
The earthquake, the strongest suffered by the country this century, had its epicenter in San Jose del Palmar, in the department of Choco, one of the areas most affected by the tragedy. The quake also severely affected the departments of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Caldas.
According to official figures from the Colombian presidency, the earthquake has left 181 people dead, but figures from regional authorities raise that number to 240 deaths, while the search and rescue continues for hundreds of people trapped under the rubble, mainly in the cities of Cali and Pereira, where dozens of buildings collapsed.
Stringer Dispatch: Death toll from Colombia’s M7.5 earthquake continues to mount pic.twitter.com/wN3LJPzmRr
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 12, 2026
Pope Prays for Those Affected by Earthquake
On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV offered his prayers for all those affected by the earthquake. “I wish to express my solidarity with our Colombian brothers and sisters who have suffered the consequences of the recent earthquake, which has caused numerous victims and injuries, in addition to extensive material damage,” he said.
“While I pray to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased, I assure you of my prayers for their families and for all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” Leo XIV added, and expressed his “gratitude to all those who have worked in the rescue and assistance efforts for the victims,” the pontiff said in Spanish.
On Tuesday, Leo XIV had already expressed his sorrow over the victims and material damage caused by the earthquake in Colombia in a telegram that Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin sent to Cartagena Archbishop Francisco Javier Munera.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
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