The death toll from the earthquake that struck Colombia has risen to 295, according to a report from Cadena SER published on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The figure marks an increase from earlier counts, which stood at 294 per Diario Público and 281 per El Mundo, as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
The quake has also left a significant number of people unaccounted for. Diario Público reports that 320 individuals remain missing, underscoring the ongoing challenge for emergency teams working through the rubble. The disaster has triggered a large-scale humanitarian response as authorities grapple with the scale of destruction.
Beyond the human toll, the earthquake has caused widespread damage to housing. El Periódico reports that more than 12,000 homes have been completely destroyed, with an additional 74,000 sustaining damage. This has left many families without shelter, compounding the urgency of relief operations in the affected areas.
International support has begun to arrive. According to ABC, Paraguay has dispatched 50 tons of humanitarian aid to assist those impacted by the earthquake. The shipment is part of a broader effort to provide essential supplies to survivors as the country faces a prolonged emergency.
The situation remains fluid, with the death toll and damage estimates likely to evolve as assessments continue. Authorities are prioritizing search-and-rescue missions and the distribution of aid to the hardest-hit communities.
What to watch next: Whether the confirmed death toll continues to climb and how international aid efforts scale up in response to the mounting humanitarian needs.
