Man describes using bare hands to save baby from Colombia earthquake rubble
CuriousCats Shorts-list
Man describes using bare hands to save baby from Colombia earthquake rubble
Abelardo de la Espriella

Rescuers search for survivors after Colombia earthquake as death toll tops 200 and foreign aid arrives

Rescuers in Colombia are searching for survivors after a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 200 lives, marking the strongest tremor in 47 years. The new government under President Abelardo de la Espriella is focusing its efforts on disaster response as foreign aid begins to arrive.

Bloomberg.com Bloomberg.com12 August 2026 · 14:36 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story
Key Insight
“The quake is the strongest to hit Colombia in 47 years, and President Abelardo de la Espriella's new government is focusing its response on the hardest-hit areas. International aid is now arriving to support the ongoing rescue operations.”
Rescuers in Colombia race against the clock to free those trapped by earthquake
CuriousCats Shorts-list
Rescuers in Colombia race against the clock to free those trapped by earthquake
Rescuers in Colombia race against the clock to free those trapped by earthquake
CuriousCats Shorts-list
Rescuers in Colombia race against the clock to free those trapped by earthquake
Colombia earthquake rescue volunteer reacts after pulling survivor from rubble
CuriousCats Shorts-list
Colombia earthquake rescue volunteer reacts after pulling survivor from rubble
Race to find earthquake survivors in Colombia
CuriousCats Shorts-list
Race to find earthquake survivors in Colombia
LIVE: Rescuers work to save Colombia earthquake victims
CuriousCats Shorts-list
LIVE: Rescuers work to save Colombia earthquake victims
Colombia earthquake death toll rises above 200 as rescuers race to find survivors
CuriousCats Shorts-list
Colombia earthquake death toll rises above 200 as rescuers race to find survivors
CuriousCats studied:
1
Bloomberg.comBloomberg.com
“The death toll from Colombia’s earthquake rose above 200 as the new government of President Abelardo de la Espriella concentrates its efforts on responding to the strongest tremor to strike the country in 47 years.”
Bloomberg.com →
Ask CuriousCats
What caused the earthquake in Colombia?
Who is Abelardo de la Espriella?
How is the government responding to the disaster?
Are there similar earthquakes in Colombia's history?
How does this earthquake's impact compare to past disasters?
CuriousCats STORYARC
EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Colombia declares three days of mourning for earthquake victims as rescue efforts continue after magnitude 7.4 quake kills more than 200
Le Monde.frLe Monde.fr
Colombia declares three days of mourning for earthquake victims as rescue efforts continue after magnitude 7.4 quake kills more than 200

Colombia declared three days of mourning on Wednesday, August 12 for victims of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 200 people.

Colombia EarthquakeDeath TollFlags Half-Staff
2026-08-12
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.4, struck western Colombia, killing more than 200 people.
  • Rescue efforts began with cranes, dogs, and heavy machinery; volunteers formed human chains to clear debris.
  • Authorities revised the death toll down to 216 after local officials in Cali corrected earlier figures.
  • Colombia declared three days of mourning on Wednesday, August 12 and ordered flags lowered to half-staff.
  • International aid was pledged, including $15.5 million from the United States and 100 tons from El Salvador.
Rescuers race against the clock in Colombia as 7.4 magnitude earthquake kills at least 181, strains new government; U.S. offers $15M in aid
Toronto Star
Rescuers race against the clock in Colombia as 7.4 magnitude earthquake kills at least 181, strains new government; U.S. offers $15M in aid

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has killed at least 181 people, injured 2,595, and left 195 missing officially, though civilian databases report over 4,000 missing.

Colombia EarthquakeEarthquake CasualtiesGovernment Response
2026-08-12
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, leading to a devastating impact on the region.
  • By Tuesday, at least 181 people had been killed, 2,595 injured, and 195 missing according to official figures, with civilian databases reporting over 4,000 missing.
  • The U.S. has offered over $15 million in aid, while Mexico's president announced plans to send hundreds of search and health workers along with health supplies.
  • Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele stated that El Salvador will send two planes with 100 tons of aid in the coming days.
  • Rescuers are racing against time to find survivors, as the response to the earthquake is straining Colombia's new government.
CuriousCats
RELATED COVERAGE:
Collective Mining reports no injuries or damage, mobilizes relief for Colombia earthquake recovery; company works with Manizales authorities on humanitarian aid
PR Newswire Canada🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 21:12 UTC
Collective Mining reports no injuries or damage, mobilizes relief for Colombia earthquake recovery; company works with Manizales authorities on humanitarian aid

The company's contributions will support the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia for school infrastructure, the local Red Cross and ProCaldas for health infrastructure, and ANDI for reconstruction planning. Omar Ossma, President of Collective Mining, said he has been on the ground in Colombia leading the response.

Darlington County officials investigate active cybersecurity incident limiting some services; emergency operations and 911 center remain fully functional
WBTW🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 20:55 UTC
Darlington County officials investigate active cybersecurity incident limiting some services; emergency operations and 911 center remain fully functional

County Administrator Marion “Charles” Stewart III said systems were proactively taken offline as part of the response, and the county is working with third-party specialists and law enforcement at all levels. Officials say the investigation remains active and ongoing, with significant resources dedicated to restoring full network functionality.

Rescuers search for survivors after 7.4-magnitude Colombia quake kills 188; woman pulled alive from rubble after 36 hours
BBC🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 12:18 UTC
Rescuers search for survivors after 7.4-magnitude Colombia quake kills 188; woman pulled alive from rubble after 36 hours

The rescue in Pereira involved firefighters digging two tunnels—one to supply oxygen and another to free Largo—after a resident heard her cries. At least 92 buildings collapsed in Pereira, with 15 trapped and 37 missing, while over 200 remained trapped in Cali as of Tuesday afternoon.

Death toll from ferry capsizing on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe rises to 37; 24 more bodies retrieved
🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 11:34 UTC
Death toll from ferry capsizing on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe rises to 37; 24 more bodies retrieved

The Herald cited a senior local official saying 24 more bodies were retrieved from the lake, raising the toll from an earlier count of 15. Rescue efforts continue as officials work to account for all passengers.

TELUS commits $2 million to British Columbia wildfire relief; provides 50 GB free data, bill credits to evacuated customers as fires rage
Yahoo! Finance Canada🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 18:04 UTC
TELUS commits $2 million to British Columbia wildfire relief; provides 50 GB free data, bill credits to evacuated customers as fires rage

The commitment includes $100,000 to First Nations like Okanagan Indian Band and Westbank First Nation, plus support for food banks and animal rescue groups. TELUS is also deploying generators to keep cell sites running and offering a 24/7 crisis support line at 1-844-751-2133.

Death toll rises to 44 after overloaded ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe; bodies retrieved from lake
The Hill🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 12:36 UTC
Death toll rises to 44 after overloaded ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe; bodies retrieved from lake

The ferry was carrying at least 114 adult passengers and five crew members, exceeding its 90-person capacity, and 77 people were rescued. State broadcaster ZBC reported children among the dead, though authorities did not confirm those details.

Rescuers race against the clock in Colombia quake aftermath as new government's response is strained
🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 11:14 UTC
Rescuers race against the clock in Colombia quake aftermath as new government's response is strained

At least 195 people remain missing per official count, but civilian databases suggest closer to 4,000. Teams are focusing on Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo, where the first 48 to 72 hours are crucial for finding survivors alive.

Northwestern Ontario battles 108 active wildfires, 10 out of control, as officials report 14 communities evacuated and 1,150 evacuees remain
🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 09:14 UTC
Northwestern Ontario battles 108 active wildfires, 10 out of control, as officials report 14 communities evacuated and 1,150 evacuees remain

The Rinker Complex, spanning 301,240 hectares, remains the largest firefighting operation, with all three fires not under control and an evacuation order in place. Ontario is investing $650 million in six new waterbombers and five helicopters, plus 170 new permanent fire personnel positions.

Rescuers search for survivors after Colombia earthquake kills at least 254; Cali mayor imposes curfew as 20 remain trapped
Al Jazeera🇨🇦12 August 2026 · 00:30 UTC
Rescuers search for survivors after Colombia earthquake kills at least 254; Cali mayor imposes curfew as 20 remain trapped

In Cali, at least 95 people died and 45 structures collapsed, with rescuers trying to reach 20 trapped people, including 17 children. Mayor Alejandro Eder announced a curfew from 8pm to 6am, while President Abelardo de la Espriella faces his first major test after being inaugurated Friday.

Get your CIA-level briefing,
in real time.
CuriousCats monitors the internet every minute for you and brings you the most personalized brief of videos, social media posts, news and more.
Download the App
One story brought you here.
CuriousCats brings you everything else worth knowing.
Get CuriousCats