Red alert in the hospital network of Valle del Cauca after the strong earthquake of magnitude 7.4

NewsThe earthquake with epicenter in Chocó leaves a preliminary toll of 33 people dead and 683 injured in 40 municipalities of the department. Much of the city is affected after the strong quake on Monday, August 10. Photo: Samir RojasJOURNALIST10.08.2026 19:40 Updated: 10.08.2026 19:48 A magnitude 7.4 earthquake with epicenter in the municipality of San José del Palmar, Chocó, caused severe damage in the Valle del Cauca department, leaving a preliminary toll of 33 people dead — including eight minors — and 683 injured in 40 of its municipalities, excluding the special districts of Cali and Buenaventura. The emergency immediately mobilized health authorities for damage assessment and care for the impacted population. | Limomar Towers in southern Cali, one of the most affected areas. Photo: JUAN PABLO RUEDA / EL TIEMPO Severe damage to regional hospital infrastructure From the Emergency and Urgencies Regulatory Center (CRUE), the departmental Health Secretary, María Cristina Lesmes, confirmed the level of impact on healthcare centers. The hospital infrastructure in the municipality of El Águila was completely destroyed, while Roldanillo Hospital suffered damages in 80% of its facilities. The Government declared a red alert in the Valle del Cauca health network. Photo: Valle Department Government Although 70% of the health network has minor damages, authorities confirmed that medical services remain operational to respond to the crisis. In response, the department secured support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to set up field hospitals in areas with the greatest material losses. Activation of red alert and centralized emergency control As part of the crisis response, the Valle del Cauca department declared a hospital red alert. This measure requires all health institutions to admit 100% of people needing medical attention due to the earthquake without barriers. Additionally, the Departmental Health Secretariat took direct control of the ambulance fleet to optimize response times. To facilitate locating people, the secretariat is preparing consolidated lists of patients treated at various points in the health network. Furthermore, specialized teams are providing psychosocial support to affected communities in the department's municipalities. The Valle government had warned about the severe hospital crisis in its health network. Photo: Juan Pablo Rueda / EL TIEMPO Assessment of aftershocks and authorities’ call Regarding the evolution of the seismic event, Lesmes called for calm among the citizens, noting that the aftershocks recorded have been of lesser intensity and at great depth. Department authorities reiterated their commitment to coordinate necessary efforts for full population care and the rebuilding of affected structures. The University Hospital of Valle also suffered infrastructure damages. Photo: Valle Department Government The burden of a worsening crisis It is worth remembering that Valle del Cauca is grappling with a health network crisis caused by factors such as delayed payments by the health promotion entities (EPS) intervened by the National Government. The situation has led to the collapse of emergency services, medication shortages, impacts on healthcare staff, and partial closures of services in clinics and public and private hospitals in the region. Facing this complex health scenario, Governor Dilian Francisca Toro had decided to declare a humanitarian emergency in 40 municipalities of the department to ensure patient care. This decision was formalized in circular 1.220-1101-128, where the governor informed health promotion entities and service providers that immediate and extraordinary contingency measures must be adopted to prevent total collapse of the service delivery network. “The current service provision situation for Valle del Cauca residents is dramatic. We are still without medication deliveries, and our service offerings are reduced; this has caused neglect of people, leading to worsening illness and an increase in expected mortality,” Lesmes explained. Follow all Colombia news on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO BULLETINSRegister for our bulletins and receive news in your email based on your interests. Stay informed about what truly 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.