A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Colombia on Monday, August 10, with significant tremors felt across the country's renowned Eje Cafetero, or Coffee Axis. Initial reports indicate a rising death toll of over 130 people and at least 570 injured, as emergency services respond to the disaster in several departments, including Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca.
The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. However, the city of Pereira, approximately 50 kilometers east of the epicenter and a central hub in the coffee region, has reported severe damage with at least 66 fatalities and numerous collapsed buildings. According to the Colombian Geological Survey, this is the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in the last decade, drawing comparisons to the devastating 1999 quake that also struck the Eje Cafetero.
The immediate impact on the coffee industry remains uncertain, but initial reports confirm damage to critical transport routes, which is complicating rescue efforts and could disrupt the movement of goods, including coffee. The Eje Cafetero, a UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío, is vital to Colombia's specialty coffee output. Assessments of damage to farms, wet mills, and other coffee-related infrastructure are expected in the coming days as the situation develops.