One of the municipalities most affected after the strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook Colombia on Monday, August 10, is El Cairo (Valle).
There is talk of almost 80 percent destruction of the municipality which remains completely cut off and without electricity or water service.
Displacements
EL TIEMPO accessed a video in which Albeiro Marín, one of the members of the municipality’s fire department, reported that after a tour of the urban perimeter and the municipal seat, most of the houses were left without roofs.
He also stated that about 10 percent of the structures are collapsed and 90 percent of homes are roofless and have wall damage. Also, cracks in 100 percent of the buildings in the municipality.
And in the same recording, the municipal mayor Orlaín Salazar Ramírez confirmed that El Cairo is 80 percent affected.
Additionally, a Unified Command Post (PMU) was set up, made up of Fire Chief Colonel Córdoba, from the Vencedores battalion who is in charge of perimeter security; and Police Superintendent Larry Álvarez.
‘Please send help’
El Cairo Valle #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/woAbpvJ44v
— IngeBarco (@ingebarco) August 10, 2026
EL TIEMPO learned the testimony of Inés Montoya, a resident of El Cairo, who tearfully assured that the municipality is practically destroyed.
“Out of 100 percent, 90 percent fell, there are confirmed human losses by a nurse from Santa Catalina hospital, so far. But it is a calamity, no water, no internet, no power. We are cut off. Please, send help, people to assist us, the need is great,” she said tearfully.
The municipal leader described the situation as difficult and complicated and called on President Abelardo de la Espriella and Governor Dilian Francisca Toro to help his people with scarce resources.
Salazar Ramírez also assured that the municipality’s tourism hostel will be enabled as a shelter and the recreational park, as well as a couple of educational institutions.
He also said that the Valle Government has already sent several mattresses to prepare the shelters.
The hospital report
Luz Helena Vásquez, one of the directors of Santa Catalina hospital in El Cairo, stated that 5 seriously injured people were admitted. Two of whom were transferred to Cartago.
And a patient was sent by ambulance to Tuluá because she requires more complex care.
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Additionally, she stated that, for now, there are two dead who are already at the Legal Medicine headquarters in Tuluá.
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