Situation Report: M7.4 Chocó Earthquake — 8 October 2026
Two months after the 10 August earthquake, official figures remain at 326 deaths, 4600 injured, and 234 missing. Seismic activity continues to decline with no aftershocks recorded in the past 24 hours.
Situation Summary — 59 days after the earthquake
59 days have passed since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the department of Chocó and surrounding regions on 10 August 2026. As of 8 October 2026, official casualty figures remain unchanged: 326 people dead, 4600 injured, and 234 missing.
Seismic activity
Aftershock activity continues its downward trend. In the past 24 hours, no aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 or greater have been recorded in the epicentral zone, according to USGS data. This absence of significant seismic activity marks a period of relative calm in the affected region.
Since the main shock, the largest aftershock recorded reached magnitude 4.4. Seismologists continue to monitor the area, although the frequency and intensity of aftershocks has decreased considerably in recent weeks.
Infrastructure damage
Documented material damage remains at 10677 homes destroyed and 65841 homes damaged. Additionally, 127 buildings collapsed during the main seismic event and its immediate aftershocks. An estimated 185500 people have been directly or indirectly affected by the disaster.
Reconstruction efforts continue in the most affected areas, with engineering teams assessing the structural stability of damaged buildings and local authorities coordinating the relocation of displaced families.
Humanitarian response
Humanitarian assistance operations maintain their presence in affected areas. The Colombian Red Cross continues to provide logistical support and care to displaced communities. International organizations such as the World Food Programme and Direct Relief maintain food and medical assistance programs.
Risk management authorities coordinate with departmental and municipal governments to ensure continuity of basic services in recovery zones.
Missing persons
Search and location efforts for the 234 people who remain missing continue, though with less intensity than in the weeks immediately following the earthquake. Families can consult updated information on platforms such as Colombia Te Busca and Desaparecidos.co.
Official information
For technical information about the seismic event, consult the USGS executive report. Official updates from the Colombian government are available on the Presidency of the Republic website.
The acute emergency phase has concluded, and authorities now focus on medium and long-term recovery, including reconstruction of critical infrastructure and strengthening community resilience for future seismic events.
