Earthquake in Chocó: the son of the mayor of Bahía Solano died after a building collapse during the earthquake

NewsThe 6-year-old child was trapped among the rubble. The community of Chocó called for a condolence event in front of the City Hall. Mourning in Bahía Solano Photo: Private archiveJOURNALIST10.08.2026 17:12 Updated: 10.08.2026 17:12 A deep tragedy has engulfed the municipality of Bahía Solano, Chocó, after the death of Mateo Valencia Valencia, a 6-year-old boy and son of the local mayor, Jairson Leonel Valencia Pinilla, and the social manager, Yirley Valencia. The unfortunate death occurred as a result of the collapse of the building where the boy was during the strong earthquake that shook the region on the morning of this Monday, August 10. The seismic movement caused serious damage to the infrastructure of the peaceful town, with significant damages and the fall of residential structures. Mourning in Bahía Solano Photo: Private archiveAmong the rubble of one of the damaged houses, several people were trapped, including little Mateo, whose passing has caused a wave of shock both in local institutions and among the residents of the municipality. Through an official statement, the Bahía Solano Municipal Administration expressed its deep sorrow and extended its sincerest condolences to the family of the mayor. In the statement, the authorities expressed their solidarity and offered prayers for the eternal rest of the child, calling for strength and serenity for his loved ones during this difficult time. Mourning in Bahía Solano Photo: Private archiveTo honor Mateo's memory and send a message of unity, the Municipal Mayor's Office extended an open invitation to all citizens to participate in a condolence event scheduled for this same August 10, at 7 p.m. at the municipal headquarters. It is expected that the Solano community will attend in large numbers to this prayer space to support the Valencia family in their mourning. The latest report from the Chocó Government confirmed that the number of fatalities is 12 people, while the injured already totaled 119 reports. "There are reports of damage to homes, buildings, and public and private infrastructure in different municipalities. The damages are under assessment and have not yet been quantified," indicated the departmental government. Follow all the news about Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO BULLETINSRegister for our bulletins and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWSFollow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Stay always updated with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. EL TIEMPO WHATSAPPJoin the El Tiempo channel on WhatsApp to stay up to date with the most relevant news at the moment. EL TIEMPO APPStay informed with the EL TIEMPO app. Receive the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on your device. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITALReliable information for you. Subscribe to EL TIEMPO and access our journalistic content unlimitedly.