Colombia Emergency Numbers: The Official 123 Guide

Colombia's emergency number is 123. That is the number to dial first for police, an ambulance, a fire, a traffic accident, a crime in progress, or any urgent safety situation. A national Funcion Publica page describes 123 as the country's single emergency line, free and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, for the emergency and security services the Colombian state provides.

The short version: dial 123, say exactly where you are, say what is happening, and stay on the line. Both Bogota and Medellin run official 123 systems around the clock, and the operator routes your call to the right agency. Below is how it works, what to say, and why you should not rely on 911.

How 123 Works Across Colombia

Colombia's national emergency system treats 123 as the single number for emergency and security services. The Funcion Publica page describes it as the line that lets people reach state emergency and security services for free, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Call 123 for a medical emergency, a fire, a gas leak, an accident with injuries, a robbery in progress, an active threat, or any urgent situation where you need police, ambulance, fire, or rescue help. One call, and the operator decides which service to send.

Do Not Rely on 911

Official Colombian sources identify 123 as the emergency number, so dial 123 directly. Some phones or roaming networks may try to reroute 911 behind the scenes, but you should not count on it, and in a real emergency you should not waste time testing it. Older expat lists also pass around a tangle of alternate three-digit numbers; current official emergency pages point residents back to 123.

Calling 123 in Bogota

In Bogota, 123 is the official emergency line, coordinated by the Secretaria Distrital de Seguridad from the city's C4 command center. According to the district, it works seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and you can call from a mobile or a fixed phone. From a single call, operators route your report to the relevant district agencies, including police, health (CRUE), mobility, risk management, firefighters, the women's agency, and animal protection, depending on what you report.

Calling 123 in Medellin

In Medellin, 123 is the Numero Unico de Emergencias (NUSE), managed within the city's Sistema Integrado de Emergencias y Seguridad (SIES-M). The Alcaldia describes it as handling emergency and security calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The instruction is the same as everywhere: call 123 and let the operator route your case to medical, fire, police, or mobility response.

In Cartagena, Cali, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and other cities, 123 is the default emergency number too. Coverage and exactly which center answers can vary by municipality, so treat 123 as your first call rather than assuming identical service everywhere.

When to Use CAI Virtual Instead

Not every problem is a 123 emergency. The National Police run an official online channel called CAI Virtual for non-urgent citizen services, such as filing a report (a denuncia) for a theft that already happened, cybercrime guidance, and other online police support available around the clock. Use it when there is no immediate danger. For anything happening right now, such as injuries, a fire, or an active threat, call 123.

Save This Before You Need It

Do this now, not during a crisis. Save a phone contact called Emergency Colombia with 123, your building's porteria or security number, and a trusted local friend. In your notes app, keep your full address, the area or zona you are in, nearest cross street, and a nearby landmark written in Spanish, because the operator will ask for it.

It also helps to understand the realities on the ground before anything goes wrong. Our guide on Colombia safety for expats: what's real vs. what's outdated and the piece on what “no dar papaya” means cover the everyday habits that keep most problems from ever reaching a 123 call.

FAQ

❓ What is the official emergency number in Colombia?

123 is Colombia's official, free national emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is adopted nationwide, but how a call is answered and routed depends on each city's local emergency center, so treat 123 as your first call.

❓ Is 123 the emergency number in Bogota?

Yes. Bogota's official 123 line, coordinated by the Secretaria Distrital de Seguridad from the C4 center, routes calls to police, health, mobility, fire, risk management, and other district agencies, according to district government sources accessed in 2026. You can dial it from a mobile or a fixed phone, 24/7.

❓ Is 123 the emergency number in Medellin?

Yes. Medellin's 123 is the Numero Unico de Emergencias, run through SIES-M, handling emergency and security calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial 123 and let the operator route the case.

❓ Should I call 123 for a medical emergency in Colombia?

Yes. Call 123 for an urgent medical emergency and stay on the line; it is the official line, and the operator can route the case to the local medical emergency response. Focus on giving a clear location rather than expecting an exact arrival time.

❓ Does 911 work in Colombia?

Official Colombian sources identify 123 as the emergency number, so dial 123 directly and do not rely on 911. Some phones or roaming networks may try to reroute 911, but you should not count on it.

❓ When should I use CAI Virtual instead of 123?

Use the National Police CAI Virtual portal for non-urgent matters, such as filing a denuncia for a theft that already happened or getting cybercrime guidance, when there is no immediate danger. For anything happening right now, call 123.

❓ What should I say when I call 123?

Give your exact location first, then the type of emergency, how many people are at risk, and a callback number. Assume the operator speaks Spanish, name a nearby landmark or cross street, and stay on the line until told you can hang up.

Official Sources Checked

This article was refreshed on June 9, 2026 using official Colombian government and police sources for the 123 emergency line.

• Funcion Publica: national emergency number 123
• Secretaria Distrital de Seguridad: Bogota emergency number 123
• Bogota.gov.co: when to call 123
• Alcaldia de Medellin: SIES-M / NUSE 123
• Policia Nacional: CAI Virtual