Situation Report: M7.4 Chocó Earthquake - September 30, 2026
51 days after the August 10 earthquake, official figures remain at 326 deaths, 4600 injured, and 234 missing. Seismic activity continues to decline with 1 aftershock recorded in the past 24 hours.
Situation Overview
51 days have passed since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the department of Chocó on August 10, 2026. As of September 30 at 00:05 local time, official casualty figures remain unchanged: 326 people dead, 4600 injured, and 234 missing.
Recent Seismic Activity
Aftershock activity continues its steady decline. In the past 24 hours, 1 aftershock was recorded, with a maximum magnitude of 4.5. This aftershock occurred 15 km southwest of San Antonio, Colombia, on September 29 at 21:50 UTC.
Since the main shock, the region has experienced hundreds of aftershocks, though their frequency and intensity have decreased significantly in recent weeks. Seismologists continue monitoring the area and warn that moderate-magnitude aftershocks remain possible in the coming months.
Infrastructure Damage
Documented material damage remains at significant levels:
- 10677 homes destroyed - 65841 homes damaged - 127 buildings collapsed - 185500 people affected
Reconstruction efforts continue in the most affected areas, though progress is slow due to logistical challenges in remote areas of Chocó and the need for thorough structural assessments before beginning repairs.
Recovery Efforts
National and local authorities maintain humanitarian assistance operations in coordination with international organizations. The Colombian Red Cross continues providing field support, while agencies such as the World Food Programme maintain food distribution programs in affected communities.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management coordinates long-term recovery efforts, focusing on housing reconstruction and restoration of basic services in the most impacted areas.
Missing Persons
The 234 people who remain missing continue to be actively sought. Families can report cases or search for information through platforms such as colombiatebusca.com and desaparecidos.co.
Seismic Information
For detailed technical information about the main event and aftershocks, consult:
- USGS Event Page - Aftershock data in GeoJSON format
Outlook
Nearly two months after the disaster, Colombia faces a long road to complete recovery. Authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining preparedness for possible aftershocks and continuing to strengthen seismic resilience throughout the national territory.
