A part of the Manizales Cathedral collapsed on Monday as a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread damage across the country. Harrowing footage taken from across the country showed the façades of buildings crumbling and people huddling in the street, unable to stand up straight as the ground beneath them rocked violently.
Footage showed the cathedral spire breaking apart and crashing to the ground in front of a crowd, while people run for safety as dust fills the air.
The earthquake struck at about 07:30 local time on Monday, according to Colombia’s geological service. It said the epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar, about 250 miles west of the capital, Bogota, at a depth of about 60 miles.
The service described it as the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in the past decade.
The moment the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, Colombia, partially gave way during the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake. pic.twitter.com/VWzlM3Z1Q2
— OSINTreport (@Tourosenta14746) August 10, 2026
Eighteen people were killed in the city of Pereira, while at least two died in Manizales, where more than 30 buildings collapsed, including parts of the cathedral.
In Cali, at least 20 buildings collapsed and hospitals were evacuated, with patients – including elderly people still on their beds – taken outside.
Video from across the country showed building facades crumbling as residents fled into the streets. In Choco, people were seen running as buildings collapsed around them.
As two men helped a woman who had fallen, one man could be heard shouting: “Oh my God!”
The earthquake was felt across much of Colombia and as far away as Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela. Buildings were evacuated in Bogota, although the city’s mayor, Carlos Galan, said there was no major damage in the capital.
Choco governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi said authorities were concerned about aftershocks and were assessing damage in the department. “We have just experienced a major earthquake in the department of Choco,” she said. “Although the epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo.”
The governor of neighbouring Risaralda province, Juan Diego Patino, said there was “serious damage to some buildings” in Pereira.
Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said it was working with local authorities to assess the damage.
President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the creation of an emergency centre at the epicentre. “You are not alone,” he said. “You have a President who cares deeply for his people and who will do everything necessary to protect you, support you, and move forward together in rebuilding the affected regions.”
Six airports – in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura – suspended flights after damage was reported, aviation authorities said.
Residents described the force of the earthquake. “There is no electricity or cell phone coverage. It was strong, really strong. Things fell in my house,” 66-year-old Martha Estrada told AFP.
Jorge Moncayo, a 64-year-old taxi driver in Cali, said he saw plumes of dust rise across the city as buildings collapsed. “My entire house shook,” he said. “I’ve never lived through such a powerful earthquake.”
The earthquake also prompted an offer of assistance from Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel was prepared to help Colombia “in whatever is needed”.