Updated August 17, 2026 at 9:56 p.m. Colombia time
The National Institute of Legal Medicine publishes two indicators as of 1 p.m. on August 17: 304 bodies received across four departments and 348 missing-person reports related to the earthquake. These figures describe forensic procedures and do not replace UNGRD’s national toll.
Four departments in the body count
Forensic services received 304 bodies from Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. At the reporting time, 300 had been identified; 22 were minors.
Two hundred and ninety-three releases to families
Legal Medicine says 293 bodies had been released to families. The statement does not place the remaining eleven cases in one category: identification, family procedures and transport can follow different timetables.
A register of 348 reports
Report no. 04 lists 348 missing-person reports related to the earthquake. A report does not equal a person who remains missing after verification and should not be added to UNGRD’s operational toll.
Scopes that do not automatically match
UNGRD’s latest national toll already published, as of 6:30 p.m. on August 16, listed 287 dead and 194 missing. The difference reflects distinct sources, categories and consolidation times and cannot by itself establish a national increase.