Colombia earthquake death toll climbs to 319 as Ecuador sends aid
Ten days after the August 10 quake, authorities confirmed 319 fatalities while regional neighbors stepped up to offer support.
The death toll from Colombia's 7.4-magnitude earthquake has risen to 319, according to figures reported by EFE on 19 August 2026, ten days after the disaster struck the country's center-west. Search, recovery, and support operations are continuing in the most affected zones as authorities work to account for all victims.
Ecuador has sent donations to assist Colombia's response, a gesture that underscores the regional solidarity that has emerged in the wake of the catastrophe. International attention on the disaster remains high as reconstruction costs and humanitarian needs continue to grow.
The rising toll and the scale of destruction have intensified pressure on the De la Espriella administration, which declared a 30-day economic emergency on August 19 to try to speed up relief funding and cut through regulatory barriers slowing the reconstruction effort.
Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.
