Airports in Colombia suffer from 7.4 earthquake that suspends flights and leaves people dead
A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook Colombia on August 10, 2026, causing the suspension of flights and serious damage to several airports in the country. The tremor resulted in at least 132 deaths, impacting western and central regions and generating concern among local authorities.
Damage and stoppages hit Colombian air infrastructure
The Colombian Civil Aeronautics Authority (Aerocivil) confirmed damage to several airport facilities following the earthquake. Technical teams were immediately mobilized to inspect the structures and continuously monitor air operations.
- Pereira
- Manizales
- Quibdo
- Armenia
- Carthage
- Buenaventura
Matecaña International Airport, located in Pereira, was one of the most affected. Images released after the earthquake revealed extensive damage to areas of the terminal and the need for emergency evacuation of passengers.
Learn more: Victims of earthquake in Colombia: balance raises deaths to 273 and 377 are missing
Details of the tremor and most impacted areas
The earthquake, which had its epicenter in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, approximately 150 kilometers from Medellín and 230 kilometers from Bogotá, was felt in much of Colombia and in neighboring countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.
The Colombian geological agency recorded a magnitude of 7.4 and a depth of 96 kilometers. However, other agencies presented slightly different data: the American agency indicated a depth of 107 kilometers, while the European ESMC reported 99 kilometers. Experts explain that deeper earthquakes tend to have a less severe impact on the surface, despite their widespread perception.
In addition to airports, the tremor caused the collapse of a cathedral tower in Manizales and scenes of panic in other cities, with buildings being evacuated in Bogotá and other capitals.
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Authorities’ response and initial impact assessments
The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, used social media to report on the situation in her department. She reported that several people were injured and that there was significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdó. The governor expressed concern about possible aftershocks while the official damage assessment was underway.
The mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Galán, announced that, so far, there were no reports of serious injuries or major structural damage in the capital, just some cracks in buildings. The population of Bogotá, however, was advised to evacuate buildings as a precautionary measure.
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Safety measures and absence of tsunami risk
Amid the emergency, the United States tsunami warning center reported that the earthquake is not expected to generate a tsunami. The entity monitored the event, but did not issue any alert or warning related to maritime threats.
The population was advised to remain attentive to information from local authorities and to follow safety protocols in the event of new earthquakes. Rescue and damage assessment teams continue to work in the most affected areas.
Why does Colombia suffer from such intense tremors?
Colombia is located in a complex and highly seismic geological region, at the convergence of three large tectonic plates: the Nazca Plate, the Caribbean Plate and the South American Plate. This location, especially in the Andes Mountains, makes the country prone to frequent seismic activity and, occasionally, large-magnitude earthquakes.
More on this story: Earthquake in Colombia causes 132 deaths, 570 injuries and damages more than a thousand homes
The continuous interaction of these plates generates tensions in the Earth’s crust, which are released through geological faults. The earthquake of August 10, 2026 is a reminder of the intense geological dynamics of the Andean region, requiring constant monitoring and preparation on the part of authorities and the population to deal with these natural phenomena.
