BOGOTÁ – A powerful earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck large parts of Colombia on Monday morning. According to the Colombian Geological Survey (SGC), the epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, at a depth of 96 kilometers. In Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, among other cities, people evacuated buildings as a precaution.
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time. The SGC (Servicio Geológico Colombiano, the agency that monitors seismic activity in Colombia) placed the epicenter 20 kilometers from San José del Palmar, a municipality approximately 240 kilometers west of Bogotá. The quake was recorded by 32 seismic stations.
Magnitude revised
The SGC’s initial preliminary bulletin reported a magnitude of 6.7 and a depth of 82 kilometers. In an updated bulletin, the agency revised those figures to 6.6 and 96 kilometers. The SGC notes that magnitude, depth, and location in preliminary bulletins may be adjusted later following analysis of the measurement data.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported a magnitude of 7.1 for the same earthquake.
Evacuations in multiple cities
The tremors were felt in Bogotá, Medellín, Manizales, Pereira, Cali, and Bucaramanga. In Medellín and Cali, people evacuated buildings as a precaution, including employees of radio station RCN. In Bogotá, residents of apartment buildings took to the streets. According to news agency Reuters, the earthquake was felt as far as the border with Venezuela.
No confirmed damage yet
No fatalities, injuries, or material damage had been confirmed immediately after the earthquake. Colombian authorities and emergency services were working Monday morning to assess the full extent of the impact.
