---
title: SYSTRA assesses damage following the earthquake in Colombia
url: "https://www.systra.com/en/news/systra-assesses-damage-following-the-earthquake-in-colombia/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-09-16
date_modified: 2026-09-16
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language: en-US
word_count: 326
reading_time: 2 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/en/news/systra-assesses-damage-following-the-earthquake-in-colombia/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img-20260903-wa0009.jpg"
categories:
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---

# SYSTRA assesses damage following the earthquake in Colombia

![SYSTRA assesses damage following the earthquake in Colombia](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img-20260903-wa0009.jpg)

On 10 August, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its
epicentre in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó. At a depth of
103km, it was the largest-magnitude earthquake recorded in Colombia this
century. Its effects were felt across much of the country and in neighbouring
countries, with several Colombian departments, including Quindío, affected.

In the aftermath of a major earthquake, rapidly assessing the condition of
buildings and infrastructure is an essential part of the emergency response.
These inspections help authorities identify potential risks, understand the
extent of the damage and determine where further investigation or intervention
may be needed.

![oscar-2](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/oscar-2-972x1024.jpg)

> Engineering expertise can also make a difference beyond our projects. This
> mission showed how quickly specialist skills can be mobilised to give
> communities and public authorities the reliable information they need to make
> urgent decisions and begin the recovery process.
> Oscar Andrés Rico, SYSTRA Colombia Country Manager

Following the earthquake, the Colombian Society of Engineers (SCI) mobilised
technical teams across the affected regions to support the assessment of
buildings and infrastructure, identify additional risks and provide technical
recommendations to guide recovery efforts.

![whatsapp-image-2026-08-25-at-7-05-00-am-5](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/whatsapp-image-2026-08-25-at-7-05-00-am-5-660x660.jpeg)

_Structural damage assessment in Calarcà_

The contribution also extended beyond structural engineering. SYSTRA made its
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expertise and tools available to the
municipalities’ Unified Command Posts, known locally as Puestos de Mando
Unificado (PMUs). By helping teams collect and organise information on reported
damage, these tools supported a clearer and more efficient overview of
conditions on the ground.

The mission combined the work of specialists deployed in Quindío with remote
support from other SYSTRA Ibérica & Hispanoamérica colleagues. It was carried
out to support the municipalities of Calarcá and Montenegro, the Calarcá Chamber
of Commerce and the Quindío chapter of the Colombian Society of Engineers.

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