Situation Report: M7.4 Chocó Earthquake - 67 days later
67 days after the August 10, 2026 earthquake, official figures report 326 deaths, 4600 injured, and 234 missing. Seismic activity continues to decline with zero aftershocks recorded in the last 24 hours.
Situation Summary - October 16, 2026
67 days have passed since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Chocó department on August 10, 2026. Colombian authorities maintain official casualty figures unchanged over the past 24 hours.
Casualties and affected population
According to consolidated data as of today:
- Deaths: 326 people - Injured: 4600 people - Missing: 234 people - Total affected: 185500 people
These figures remain stable as search efforts and forensic identification work continue in the most affected areas.
Infrastructure damage
The impact of the main shock has left a landscape of significant destruction:
- Homes destroyed: 10677 - Homes damaged: 65841 - Buildings collapsed: 127 - Municipalities affected: 30
Structural assessment teams continue inspecting buildings in affected zones, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas where damage is still being documented.
Seismic activity
Seismic activity shows a significant downward trend. In the last 24 hours, no aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 or greater have been recorded in the epicentral zone, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Since the main event on August 10, the largest aftershock recorded has been magnitude 4.5. Seismologists indicate that this decrease in frequency and intensity of aftershocks is consistent with the expected pattern of seismic decay, though they warn that significant aftershocks are still possible in the coming months.
Humanitarian response
Humanitarian assistance operations continue in the 30 affected municipalities. National and international organizations maintain their presence on the ground:
- The Colombian Red Cross continues providing medical care and psychosocial support - The World Food Programme maintains food aid distribution - Direct Relief continues sending medical supplies to affected health centers
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management coordinates reconstruction efforts and continues assessing the needs of the most vulnerable communities.
Reconstruction and recovery
With more than two months elapsed since the disaster, authorities are focusing on the medium-term recovery phase. Challenges include rebuilding the 10677 destroyed homes and repairing the 65841 damaged homes, as well as restoring basic services in the most remote areas.
Families seeking information about missing persons can consult colombiatebusca.com and desaparecidos.co.
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*Last updated: October 16, 2026, 12:05 Bogotá time*
