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Tragedy after the earthquake: Forensic Medicine confirms the identity of 93 victims
CO🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/13/2026

Tragedy after the earthquake: Forensic Medicine confirms the identity of 93 victims

The Colombian National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences confirmed the identification of 93 victims out of 180 reported dead following a recent earthquake. The institute issued a formal communication stating that technical and scientific teams have been working to identify the deceased through established procedures. These efforts aim to ensure proper identification before delivering remains to families, adhering to technical rigor, respect for human dignity, and institutional support. The identified victims come from various municipalities including Pereira, Buenaventura, Buga, Cali, and Quibdó. Authorities continue identifying the remaining 87 bodies, coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office to facilitate family access to the remains. The report highlights the ongoing commitment to maintaining procedural integrity and supporting affected families during this crisis.

The Institute of Legal Medicine in Colombia has released an updated list of victims identified following the devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.4 that struck the country on August 10, 2026. As of Thursday, August 13, the institute confirmed that 246 individuals have been identified among the 260 bodies received from the departments of Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. Of these, 222 victims have been formally delivered to their families. The list includes names, places of origin, gender, and age, with 17 minors among the identified victims. The earthquake, which originated near San José del Palmar in Chocó, caused widespread destruction across multiple regions. Rescue teams continue working tirelessly in areas such as Cali, where efforts are ongoing to locate survivors and recover additional bodies. The Institute of Legal Medicine has issued eight reports since the disaster, each providing updates on the identification process and progress made in delivering remains to families. These reports highlight the meticulous work carried out by forensic experts to ensure accurate identification before final delivery. According to the latest report, the Institute of Legal Medicine has processed 260 bodies, with 246 successfully identified. This figure represents a significant increase from previous counts, reflecting the continued efforts of medical professionals and forensic scientists. The identification process involves rigorous scientific methods, including DNA analysis and dental records, to ensure accuracy. The institute has emphasized its commitment to maintaining technical rigor while respecting the dignity of the deceased and supporting grieving families. Among the identified victims are several children, underscoring the tragic impact of the disaster on vulnerable populations. The list includes individuals from cities such as Manizales, Belén de Umbría, Pereira, Buenaventura, Buga, Cali, and Quibdó. For example, in Manizales, Fernando Alonso González, a 70-year-old male, was identified, along with Catalina Arango Sandoval, an 18-year-old female. In Belén de Umbría, José Yovany Agudelo Sánchez, a 46-year-old male, was recognized. In Pereira, numerous victims were identified, including Lina Marcela Rodas Cuartas, a 37-year-old female, and R D R Q, a 17-year-old male. The Institute of Legal Medicine has coordinated closely with the Attorney General’s Office to facilitate the delivery of bodies to families. Deliveries are being conducted at designated locations in each municipality, with some cases handled specifically in Palmira due to the location of recovered bodies from Cali. The process involves legal documentation, family verification, and adherence to strict protocols to ensure transparency and respect for the deceased. As of the latest update, 149 bodies have been handed over to families, marking a critical step in the recovery process. However, 14 remaining bodies remain unidentified, requiring further investigation. The Institute continues to work with local authorities and forensic teams to complete the identification process. The number of identified victims has increased significantly over recent days, indicating steady progress despite the challenges posed by the scale of the disaster. The earthquake has left a profound impact on communities across the affected regions. Entire neighborhoods have been damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands displaced. Local governments and humanitarian organizations are working to provide emergency shelter, food, and medical care to those affected. Despite the overwhelming nature of the crisis, officials have expressed confidence in the resilience of the population and the effectiveness of the response efforts. The Institute of Legal Medicine remains committed to its role in identifying victims and supporting families through this difficult time. Its work is essential not only for closure but also for ensuring that all victims receive proper recognition and honor. As the search for missing persons continues, the institute will play a vital role in bringing clarity and comfort to those who have lost loved ones. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to identify remaining victims and deliver them to their families in accordance with established procedures.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

5 reports

Semana logoSemanaIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 908/13/2026
Medicina Legal publishes new report on earthquake in Colombia: 205 victims have been identified

On Wednesday, August 12, the Colombian Institute of Legal Medicine confirmed that 205 victims of the earthquake that struck the country on Monday, August 10, have been identified. Among these victims, 12 are minors. The report states that 140 corpses have been handed over to their families. The identified cases include locations such as Cali, Buenaventura, Manizales, Pereira, Buga, Quibdó, Santander de Quilichao, Roldanillo, Tuluá, Sevilla, Armenia, Popayán, and Belén de Umbría. The report was published by the Institute of Legal Medicine.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the identification of earthquake victims without overt ideological framing. It focuses on the medical and administrative process of identifying casualties, which is a neutral and objective reporting style. There is no evident political commentary or

Why factuality (90): This article provides precise information from the National Institute of Legal Medicine regarding the identification of 205 victims, including 12 minors, and mentions the delivery of 140 bodies to families. The information aligns closely with the primary source document and is well-supported by spec

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information objectively, using formal language and avoiding any biased or emotional commentary. It focuses solely on the factual report from the legal medicine institute without adding subjective interpretations.

El Tiempo logoEl TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 908/13/2026
Medicina Legal identifies new group of victims of the 7.4 earthquake in Colombia: full list of names and their places of origin; there are children

The National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Colombia has identified 205 victims of a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that occurred on August 10, including 12 children. The quake affected 1,000 homes, with 450 completely destroyed and 800 people displaced. The institute reported receiving 230 bodies from departments including Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca, and 140 of these have been delivered to families so far. The identification process continues, with updates provided as of August 12 at 8:00 PM. The bodies from Cali are being handed over at the Basic Unit in Palmira.

Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the number of victims, their locations, and the ongoing identification process. It does not show clear bias through language, sourcing, or emphasis. The content focuses on the forensic process and the impact of the disaster without taking a stance or sl

Why factuality (90): This article provides accurate and detailed information from the National Institute of Legal Medicine, confirming the identification of 205 victims, including 12 minors, and specifying the locations where the bodies were received. It aligns directly with the primary source document.

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a neutral and factual manner, avoiding any emotional or biased language. It focuses strictly on the report from the legal medicine institute without additional interpretation.

Semana logoSemanaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 858/12/2026
Tragedy after the earthquake: Forensic Medicine confirms the identity of 93 victims

The Colombian National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences confirmed the identification of 93 victims out of 180 reported dead following a recent earthquake. The institute issued a formal communication stating that technical and scientific teams have been working to identify the deceased through established procedures. These efforts aim to ensure proper identification before delivering remains to families, adhering to technical rigor, respect for human dignity, and institutional support. The identified victims come from various municipalities including Pereira, Buenaventura, Buga, Cali, and Quibdó. Authorities continue identifying the remaining 87 bodies, coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office to facilitate family access to the remains. The report highlights the ongoing commitment to maintaining procedural integrity and supporting affected families during this crisis.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the identification process of earthquake victims by a state institution, without overt ideological framing. It emphasizes institutional coordination, technical rigor, and humanitarian considerations, which align with center-aligned reporting. There은

Why factuality (85): This article confirms the identification of 93 out of 180 victims, which matches the cross-source consensus. It provides details about the identification process and lists the locations involved, supporting the factual claims accurately.

Why objectivity (85): The article presents information in a balanced manner, using official statements and describing the process without taking sides or showing emotional bias. The language remains professional and informative.

El Tiempo logoEl TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 858/12/2026
Legal Medicine identifies third group of victims of the 7.4 earthquake in Colombia: full list of new names and their places of origin

The Colombian Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences has identified 93 victims among the 180 bodies recovered following the August 10 earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude, which struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó. The latest report indicates that these bodies were transported from four departments: Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. The identification process continues, with coordination between the National Prosecutor’s Office and local authorities. The list includes names and ages of victims from various municipalities such as Manizales, Belén de Umbría, Pereira, Buenaventura, Buga, Cali, and Quibdó. Some entries include partial identifiers like 'R D R Q' and 'Rosa Angelica Maya Maya,' highlighting ongoing challenges in complete identification.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the recovery and identification of earthquake victims, focusing on medical and forensic processes. There is no overt ideological framing or emphasis on political agendas. The tone remains objective, providing data and procedural updates without bias

Why factuality (80): The article states that 180 bodies were received and 93 identified, which aligns with the cross-source consensus. It provides specific examples of identified victims, adding credibility. However, the article cuts off mid-listing, which may affect completeness.

Why objectivity (85): The tone remains neutral, presenting factual updates and procedural details without emotional language or apparent bias. The focus is on reporting the status of victim identification and coordination efforts.

Semana logoSemanaIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 808/13/2026
The death toll from the earthquake is rising.

A new report from the Colombian Institute of Legal Medicine indicates that the death toll from the earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has risen to 230 victims. The institute confirmed that 205 of these bodies have been identified, including 12 minors, and that 149 have been formally delivered to their families in accordance with legal protocols. The report highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to identify and deliver remains while managing logistical challenges related to infrastructure damage. Services in Cali were relocated to nearby municipalities due to structural issues, but virtual channels continue to provide public assistance.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the earthquake's impact and the institutional response without overt ideological framing. It focuses on the technical and administrative processes of identifying victims and delivering remains, with balanced reporting on both the scale of the crisis

Why factuality (75): The article reports that 230 victims have been identified by Medicina Legal, but this contradicts the earlier report from the same source stating only 180 bodies had been received. It also mentions 12 minors among the fatalities, which aligns with the cross-source consensus. However, the discrepancy

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, focusing on reporting facts without evident bias. The article includes quotes from Medicina Legal and describes procedures without overt emotional language, maintaining an objective stance.

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