A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia today, damaging buildings and injuring several people.
The force of the earthquake sparked fear among residents, who hurried out of buildings and into the streets, fearing possible collapses and further seismic activity.
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Data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) indicate that the earthquake was recorded at a depth of approximately 115 kilometers. According to the Colombian Geological Service, the epicenter was in Chocó province, along the Pacific coast.
The tremors were strongly felt in Bogotá and Cali, while reports also came from neighboring countries, including Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said there was no tsunami warning.
In the affected areas, panic was accompanied by residents fleeing buildings, while concrete fragments and glass fell into the streets. The first footage published from the scene shows shaken citizens trying to move away from dangerous areas.
Immediately after the tremors, residents and emergency teams went to the damaged buildings to check whether anyone was trapped or injured.
Major damage was also reported at the Metropolitan Cathedral, where part of the dome appears to have collapsed following the earthquake.
The governor of Chocó province, Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Kouri, said that authorities were concerned about the possibility of aftershocks and that the damage assessment process had begun.
“We have just experienced a strong earthquake in Chocó province. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San José del Palmar, there are injured people and considerable damage to buildings in Quibdó,” she said.
