A magnitude 7.4 quake damaged an Adventist school and church as leaders assess needs and ADRA assists dozens of families in Cali.
August 10, 2026 | Bogotá, Colombia | Laura Acosta, USC, and Inter-American Division News Staff
Seventh-day Adventist leaders in Colombia reported no deaths or serious injuries among church members today, as they continued checking congregations and institutions after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, killing more than 100 people nationwide.
Pastor Henry Beltrán, president of the South Colombia Union, said the church was maintaining contact with local conference presidents to assess the condition of members, pastors, employees, churches, schools, and other institutions.
ADRA Colombia personnel survey damage to a collapsed building next to CEA Cámbulos Adventist School in Cali, Colombia, following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 10, 2026. [Photo: ADRA Colombia]“As of this time, we have received no reports of serious incidents or deaths within our church territory,” Beltrán said. “We continue gathering information and remain attentive to any needs that may arise.”
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time on Aug. 10 near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department according to the Colombian Geological Service. The shaking was felt across much of the country, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Bogotá, and Medellín.
Students Evacuated in Cali
One of the church’s principal concerns was the CEA Cámbulos Adventist School in Cali, where the earthquake damaged portions of the school’s infrastructure. An apartment building next to the campus also collapsed during the shaking.
Jaime Moreno, youth ministries director of the Pacific Colombia Conference, was in the conference offices when the earthquake began. He said students were evacuated to a nearby sports field and later released to their families.
