7.4-magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia, damage reported

Colombia.- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday morning, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure and shaking cities across much of the country, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colombia’s Geological Service.

The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. The USGS placed the depth at 107 kilometers, while Colombia’s Geological Service reported a depth of 96 kilometers. The Colombian agency initially estimated the magnitude at 6.6 before revising it to 7.4.

Authorities reported damage in several cities. In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi said there were injuries and serious damage to buildings, while the city’s El Caraño Airport was also affected. She warned of the possibility of aftershocks.

In Manizales, one of the towers of the city’s cathedral was severely damaged and left leaning over the church. At Matecaña International Airport in Pereira, part of the roof collapsed in a public transit area, although authorities had not reported possible victims there.

The earthquake was also strongly felt in Bogotá, where alarms sounded and residents evacuated buildings as a precaution. Mayor Carlos Galán said there were no reports of structural damage, although some buildings had developed cracks. Emergency officials began inspections across the capital.

Residents also reported feeling the tremor in Medellín, Bucaramanga, Cúcuta, Villavicencio, Valledupar, Envigado and other parts of the country.