Colombian Government Updates Earthquake Death Toll to 289 and 143 Missing The Colombian government revised its death toll from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the western region of the country on August 14, 2026, reducing the number of fatalities to 289 and listing 143 people as missing. The updated figures were announced by the National Risk Management and Disaster Response Unit (UNGRD) on the night of August 15, 2026, following discrepancies in initial reports. Earlier, the unit had cited 294 deaths and 320 missing persons, but adjustments in daily municipal reports led to the revised numbers. The earthquake, which originated in San José del Palmar, Chocó department, caused widespread devastation. According to the UNGRD, the disaster has left 3,937 injured, over 117,000 people affected, 14,705 homes destroyed, and damage to an additional 81,536 residences. The Institute of Legal Medicine reported that 279 victims have been identified, including 21 minors, with 268 bodies already handed over to families. Rescue operations continued four days after the quake, with teams distributing food to volunteers and searchers sifting through rubble in Cali, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department. In Cali, where over 70 people remain missing, Mayor Alejandro Eder expressed hope for survivors, stating, “Miracles exist” and emphasizing ongoing efforts to locate those still trapped. Residents in Quibdó, Chocó, such as Marisol Córdova, urged for urgent aid as debris removal progressed. “We ask to be relocated; we have no homes to live in,” she told Caracol News. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster and economic emergency, allowing for temporary tax collection to fund reconstruction efforts, including hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and airports.#colombian_government #ungrd #san_jose_del_palmar #abelardo_de_la_espriella #alejandro_eder
