A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 has struck Colombia, sending terrified residents fleeing from shaking buildings and causing widespread damage. The quake, which was later revised to 6.4 magnitude, hit near the Venezuelan border, with the epicenter located in the Choco province on the Pacific coast at a depth of 79 kilometers near San Jose del Palmar.
Building Collapses and Injuries Reported
Dramatic footage from the scene shows people running for their lives as an entire building collapsed in front of their eyes. In the Choco provincial capital, Quibdo, several individuals are believed to be trapped under huge concrete blocks, making it the worst affected area. Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi confirmed injuries and severe damage to buildings in Quibdo.
Writing on X, Cordoba-Curi stated: 'We have just experienced a severe seismic event in the department of Chocó. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was in San José del Palmar, in the capital Quibdó there are injuries and severe damage to buildings. We are already conducting the damage assessment to issue the first official report.'
Evacuations and Damage Across the Country
The earthquake triggered alarms in the capital Bogota, where families fled their homes in the middle of breakfast and preparations for school and work. Damage to buildings was reported in Manizales, and evacuations took place in the coastal city of Medellin. The famous Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary in Manizales is said to have been damaged and may be at risk of collapse.
This seismic event comes less than two months after a deadly earthquake devastated Venezuela on June 24. That quake toppled buildings in the capital Caracas and in the state of La Guaira, where nearly all buildings were destroyed. People were trapped under rubble, some for days, as rescuers battled to reach them. As of August, more than 6,100 people have been confirmed dead from those quakes, with tens of thousands still missing and many remaining in hospital.
Why Is the Region Prone to Earthquakes?
The Central and South American region, where both Colombia and Venezuela are located, is prone to powerful earthquakes due to its position near the boundary of several tectonic plates. Colombia sits at the meeting point of three tectonic plates: the Nazca, the Caribbean Plate, and the South American Plate, making it a lively zone for seismic activity that can strike suddenly.
Earthquakes above 6 on the Richter scale are considered strong, while those around 7 are classified as major. Even strong 6-magnitude tremors can cause significant damage, especially in densely populated urban areas.
