Strong earthquake of magnitude 6.1. shocked this Thursday, August 17, center Colombia and its capital Bogota, where people took to the streets in panicalthough there have been no reports of casualties or damage yet, the Colombian Geological Survey said.
He United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded it with a magnitude of 6.3. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the municipality Calvaryin the department of Meta, and it happened at 12:04 local time (17:04 GMT) at a “surface depth of less than 30 km,” the entity on the X social network indicated.
“Severe aftershocks in Bogota (…) Please take all precautions against possible aftershocks. Calmness, serenity and caution,” said the mayor of the capital. Claudia Lopezin social network X.
According to the local president, so far only “reports of people stuck in elevators and other minor events. Nothing serious“.
Which cities were affected by the earthquake in Colombia?
Users reported on social media that the movement was also strongly felt in Villavicencio, Bucaramanga, Tunja, Ibague and other cities near the epicenter.
the central square of Plaza de BolívarJudging by the images circulated on social networks, near the presidential headquarters in Bogota, it quickly filled with people who had come running from neighboring buildings.
Aftershock and earthquake rocked Bogotá, Colombia
He United States Geological Survey (USGS) He recorded it with a magnitude of 6.3 degrees. According to social media users, the movement was strongly felt in Villavicencio, Bucaramanga, Tunja, Ibague and other cities near the epicenter..
Approximately 10 minutes after the first eventThe Geological Center recorded an aftershock with an epicenter in the city of Villavicencio, in the same department, this time from magnitude 5.6.
This has been confirmed by the municipality. CalvaryMeta, the entire municipality was evacuated, only the windows of houses and institutions were damaged,” the person responsible for the situation said. National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) in the journalists’ chat.
According to the same source, in Villavicencio “landslides are reported” and they “confirm new manifestations”. He The elliptical hall of the Colombian Congress received minor damage.
The aftershock occurred as dozens of people fled buildings in the capital. He Central Colombia There is a lot of seismic activity here and one of the main geological faults of the country is located here.