The impact of the earthquake extended to various regions and departments, including the Pacific Region, the Andean Region, Chocó, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindío, Valle del Cauca, Bogotá, Antioquia, and Cauca.
The seismic event triggered alerts in wide areas of the national territory and affected various cities
The impact of the earthquake extended to various regions and departments, including the Pacific Region, the Andean Region, Chocó, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindío, Valle del Cauca, Bogotá, Antioquia, and Cauca.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake was recorded this Monday in Colombia at 7:34 AM, with its epicenter in the Chocó department, in the western part of the country, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC).
The seismic event occurred specifically in the municipality of San José del Palmar, with a reported depth of 96 kilometers, and caused deaths.
The earthquake triggered alerts in wide areas of the national territory and was felt in various cities, according to official reports published by the agency through its account on the social network X. Among the main cities where the tremor was felt are Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Manizales.
Minutes after the main quake, the SGC reported the occurrence of aftershocks. At 8:18 AM, a new earthquake of magnitude 4.6 was recorded, with shallow depth, in the municipality of Nóvita, also in the Chocó department. This event adds to other subsequent movements that have been monitored by the authorities.
The general director of the Colombian Geological Service, Julio Fierro Morales, provided details about the scope of the phenomenon and its relevance in the recent context of seismic activity in the country.
“We report the occurrence today at 7:34 AM of an earthquake of magnitude 7.4 with a depth of 88 kilometers. It is the strongest earthquake felt in the last decade in the country, and for that area, there are records of earthquakes; particularly on November 23, 1979, there was an earthquake of magnitude 7.2. We have two aftershocks, one of 2.8 and another of 4.8 that was felt recently,” he stated.
Regarding possible damages, the official indicated that there are preliminary reports of damage, although they have not yet been confirmed by official channels. Additionally, so far, at least 25 deaths have been recorded, along with numerous injuries.
“There are damages, we are aware, not through official channels, but through social media, particularly in the cities of Manizales and Pereira. We will continue to inform from the Colombian Geological Service and recommend to the population, of course, to remain calm and receive information from the official channels of the Colombian Geological Service and the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management,” he added.
The Colombian Geological Service reiterated the importance of consulting only official sources to access updated and reliable information about the evolution of the event.
It also emphasized that it will continue to issue permanent bulletins with the aim of informing the public about any news related to safety and prevention.
The seismic movement occurs in a context of sustained seismic activity in the Andean region, which keeps the authorities responsible for risk management on alert.