08/11/2026

ARRL received the following report from Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC, Emergency Communications Coordinator, International Amateur Radio Union, Region 2 (IARU R2).

Monday, August 10, 2026

This morning, several regions of Colombia were shaken by an earthquake. According to data from the Colombian Geological Service, the quake occurred at 07:34 local time, with its epicenter located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, Chocó (at coordinates 5.04°N, -76.34°W). The event registered a magnitude of 7.4 and a depth of 96 km. Subsequently, there were several aftershocks exceeding magnitude 2.0, including one of 4.8 at 08:18 local time.

Minutes later, we made contact with Faber Mosquera (HK6F), the emergency coordinator for the Colombian Amateur Radio League. He informed us that damage assessments were underway in the departments of the Coffee Axis and the Colombian Pacific coast-the areas most severely affected-and that he was already coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Management System.

From the very beginning, we were also in contact with emergency coordinators from Guatemala, Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, and Ecuador-as well as Greg Mossop (G0DUB), the emergency coordinator for Region 1 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU R1, covering Europe and Africa)-to provide information and assistance.

By gathering information from the Colombian government, the press, and amateur radio operators, we have obtained data regarding the impact of the earthquake. Abelardo De La Espriella, the Colombian president who recently took office, provided a preliminary assessment of the casualties and damage caused by the event: 111 dead, 87 injured, 1,575 homes damaged, 37 homes completely destroyed, 61 buildings collapsed, 18 health centers damaged, 52 educational centers damaged, 17 community centers damaged, 18 roads damaged, 6 airports with infrastructure damage and no commercial flight operations, and another air terminal with runway damage.

Members of the [Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados -- LCRA] are already deploying alongside the Colombian Red Cross to provide communications support in the wake of the disaster.

In Colombia, the [LCRA] uses the International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU R2) frequencies for emergency communications, as follows:

80 m: 3985 kHz
40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz
20 m: 14300 kHz
17 m: 18160 kHz
15 m: 21360 kHz
2 m: 146.520 MHz (simplex)

For this reason, we ask all fellow radio amateurs to keep these frequencies clear and simply monitor them, in case our assistance is needed by our Colombian colleagues.

We will share further information as it becomes available.

We also appreciate the collaboration of José Fernando Velez, HK4VEL, who is likewise supporting LCR communications.

Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC
IARU R2 Emergency Coordinator.
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