Colombian superstar Shakira has called for unity and support for her home country after a devastating earthquake killed at least 164 people.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with the worst of the destruction reported across the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca and Risaralda.
The Colombian Association of Capital Cities has reported a provisional toll of at least 164 people dead and 570 injured, although the number of casualties is expected to change as rescue teams continue searching damaged buildings.
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Cali, Pereira and Manizales have been among the worst-affected cities, with extensive damage reported to homes, hospitals and other infrastructure. In Cali alone, 85 people have died, while 66 fatalities have been reported in Pereira and a further 13 in Chocó.
The earthquake was centred near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, with tremors felt across much of the country and in neighbouring areas.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was likely caused by movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate.
The plate lies beneath the South American plate and is involved in the geological activity that has shaped the Andes mountain range.
A number of aftershocks followed the main earthquake, while rescue workers have continued searching through rubble for survivors.
Hospitals in several Colombian cities were placed on red alert, while emergency measures have been introduced in some of the worst-hit areas.
Cali has imposed a nighttime curfew and deployed additional security personnel following reports of looting. Pereira has also introduced restrictions as authorities work to protect residents and allow emergency crews to operate.
At least six airports in the affected region have also suspended operations following damage caused by the earthquake.
As the scale of the disaster became clear, some of Colombia's biggest music stars took to social media to send messages of support and encourage people to help with the recovery effort.
Shakira was among those leading the calls for solidarity, writing on X that her heart was with everyone who had felt the earthquake and the families experiencing moments of anguish.
"In times like these, we Colombians know how to come together and support one another," she wrote.
"All my strength and love for my homeland. Let's embrace tightly and stay tuned to the instructions so we can help as soon as possible."
Colombia querida, mi corazón está con todos los que hoy sintieron este terremoto y con las familias que están pasando momentos de angustia.
En momentos así, los colombianos sabemos unirnos y sostenernos unos a otros. Toda mi fuerza y mi amor para mi tierra. Abracémonos fuerte y…
— Shakira (@shakira) August 10, 2026
J Balvin also shared a message in Spanish on his Instagram story, sending his strength to those affected and saying that efforts to help with the situation would move quickly.
Maluma similarly expressed his heartbreak over the devastation, sending his condolences to the families who had lost loved ones and saying that people were there to help.
Other Colombian artists, including Ryan Castro and Manuel Turizo, have also joined the response.
The earthquake has prompted a major rescue and recovery operation, with police, soldiers and volunteers searching through collapsed buildings in an effort to find people who may still be trapped.
Authorities are warning that the full scale of the disaster may not yet be known, particularly in remote areas close to the epicentre where access and communications have been disrupted.
