Colombia emergency numbers
Colombia’s emergency number is 123, not 911: it dispatches ambulance, police, fire or traffic police, 24 hours a day, from landlines and mobiles. Also keep 119 (fire), 132 (Red Cross), 144 (Civil Defense) and, if you are riding or driving between cities, #767 for the highway and transport police.
Updated on · By Pablo Porras (ChamoenMoto)
What are the emergency numbers in Colombia?
| Number | Service | When to call it |
|---|---|---|
| 123 | National security and emergency line | Any emergency: crash, injury, fire, crime. If in doubt, dial this. |
| #767 | Highway and transport police | Crashes or trouble on the highway between cities. |
| 119 | Fire department | Fires, rescues, gas leaks. |
| 132 | Colombian Red Cross | Medical emergencies and rescues. |
| 144 | Civil Defense | Disasters: floods, landslides, earthquakes. |
| 01 8000 111 150 | INVÍAS (national roads institute) | Road conditions before a trip. |
Operators answer in Spanish. If you do not speak it, say “emergencia”, your location and “accidente” or “herido” (injured), and stay on the line.
What should you say when you call 123?
- Where you are: an address, a highway kilometer marker or a landmark (a toll booth, a gas station, a bridge).
- What happened: a car crash, a motorcycle crash, a fire, someone injured.
- How many people are hurt and whether they are conscious and breathing.
- Any danger: fire, fuel on the road, traffic that will not stop.
- Your name and number, in case the call drops.
Riding a motorcycle in Colombia?
Motorcyclists account for most road deaths in Colombia: 5,146 of the 8,271 people killed in 2024, according to preliminary figures from the national road safety observatory. Save 123 and #767 in your phone before the trip, and read motorcycle accident first aid to know what to do if you see a crash.
A MásVidas emergency QR code on your helmet shows the local emergency number for the holder’s country, your blood type and allergies, and lets whoever helps you alert your family. See what is an emergency QR code.
Frequently asked questions
Does 911 work in Colombia?
Do not count on it. Colombia’s emergency number is 123, which is the number official travel advice gives for ambulance and police, including the UK government’s guidance for Colombia. Save 123 in your phone before you travel, and #767 if you will be riding or driving on highways between cities. The fire department also answers on 119.
What is the ambulance number in Colombia?
Call 123. The national emergency line dispatches ambulances along with police and fire services; in Bogotá, for example, it brings together the health department, police, mobility, fire and risk management agencies. The Colombian Red Cross also responds to medical emergencies on 132. Tell the operator early if anyone is unconscious or not breathing.
Sources
- UK Government, Getting help — Colombia travel advice, updated September 2026.
- Bogotá Health Department, Línea 123.
- Bloomberg Línea, Emergency lines in Colombia, August 10, 2026.
- Xataka Colombia, Who to call on Colombian highways, December 27, 2024.
Numbers checked on October 13, 2026. If one no longer works, email [email protected] and we will fix it.