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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