Situation Report: M7.4 Chocó Earthquake - 68 days after
68 days after the August 10, 2026 earthquake, official figures report 326 deaths, 4600 injured, and 234 missing. Seismic activity continues to decline with 1 aftershock recorded in the last 24 hours.
General Situation
68 days have passed since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the Chocó department on August 10, 2026. As of October 17, 2026, Colombian authorities maintain official casualty figures of 326 people killed, 4600 injured, and 234 people missing. The earthquake has affected approximately 185500 people across 30 municipalities in the region.
Infrastructure Damage
Material damages remain significant. 10677 homes have been destroyed and 65841 homes damaged to varying degrees. Additionally, 127 buildings collapsed during the main seismic event and its immediate aftershocks. Structural assessment and recovery efforts continue in the most affected areas.
Recent Seismic Activity
Aftershock activity has decreased considerably in recent weeks. In the last 24 hours, 1 aftershock of magnitude 4.4 was recorded, occurring at 07:25 UTC on October 17, located 10 km southwest of El Cerrito, Colombia, according to data from the United States Geological Survey.
This reduction in aftershock frequency is consistent with the expected pattern of seismic decay following an event of this magnitude. Experts continue to monitor the area and warn that lower-intensity aftershocks may continue for months.
Recovery Efforts
National and local authorities maintain active humanitarian assistance and reconstruction programs. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management coordinates recovery operations in conjunction with international organizations and the Colombian Red Cross.
Efforts focus on providing temporary shelter, continued medical assistance, and initiating reconstruction projects for homes and critical infrastructure. The government has implemented special economic and customs support measures to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid and construction materials.
Search for Missing Persons
The 234 people who remain missing continue to be sought by specialized teams. Families can report cases and obtain information through platforms such as colombiatebusca.com and desaparecidos.co.
Official Information
For technical information about the main seismic event, consult the USGS event page. Official updates from the Colombian government are available on the Presidency of the Republic website.
International organizations such as the World Food Programme and Direct Relief continue to support humanitarian assistance operations in the affected region.
