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World News · 4 Beginner · August 11, 2026

Big Earthquake Hits Colombia

Big Earthquake Hits Colombia
Photo: Emirhan Emiroğlu via Pexels

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Vocabulary

earthquake /ˈɜrθkweɪk/ noun
when the ground shakes very hard
The earthquake was very strong.
rescue /ˈrɛskjuː/ noun
the act of saving someone from danger
The rescue workers found three people.
rubble /ˈrʌbəl/ noun
broken pieces of buildings and things
The workers looked through the rubble for survivors.
survivor /sərˈvaɪvər/ noun
a person who stays alive after something bad
The rescue team found a survivor in the rubble.
toll /toʊl/ noun
the total number of deaths or victims
The death toll increased every day.
western /ˈwɛstərn/ adjective
in or from the direction of the west
The earthquake hit the western part of Colombia.

Article

A very strong earthquake hit Colombia. It happened in the western part of the country. Many buildings fell down. Many people died. Workers are looking for people under the broken buildings.

What Happened

The earthquake was very powerful. The ground shook hard. It broke homes and buildings. People were scared. Some people got hurt. Some people died.

The Rescue Work

Workers came to help. They looked in the broken buildings. They wanted to find people who were alive. They worked very hard. Many people helped. They used tools and dogs. The work was slow and difficult.

How Many People Died

At least 169 people died. But the number may go up. Many people are still missing. Their families do not know where they are. People are very sad.

Why This Happens

Earthquakes happen when the ground moves. We cannot stop earthquakes. They are natural. But we can prepare for them. We can build strong buildings. We can teach people what to do.

How People Help

Many people around the world want to help Colombia. They send money and food. They send doctors. Other countries send workers to help with the rescue. People work together in times of trouble.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever felt an earthquake? What did it feel like?
  2. Why do you think rescue workers need help from other countries?
  3. How can people stay safe during an earthquake?
  4. What would you do if you were in a building during an earthquake?
  5. Why is it important for countries to help each other in emergencies?

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