A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck central Colombia early Sunday morning, sending tremors across several cities and prompting widespread panic as buildings swayed and emergency alarms sounded.
The tremor occurred at approximately 8:08 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located near Paratebueno, around 170 kilometers east of the capital, Bogotá. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake had a shallow depth of just nine kilometers, intensifying its effects on surface structures.
In Paratebueno, damage to buildings was clearly visible. Reporters in the area observed several structures partially collapsed, including a local church with severe structural damage. Tin-roofed homes were also among those reduced to rubble, though no serious injuries had been confirmed at the time of reporting. Authorities were assessing minor damages in nearby rural communities.
In Bogotá, a sprawling city of over eight million residents located high in the Andes, the tremor caused alarm as tall buildings visibly shook for nearly a minute. Sirens rang out across neighborhoods, and thousands of people rushed out of homes, offices, and high-rises into open areas. Many were still in sleepwear as they gathered in parks and plazas, trying to comfort children and locate pets that had fled in panic.
“The entire building was trembling. We didn’t know if it would stop or get worse,” said Carlos Ruiz, a resident who evacuated with his family. Others described it as one of the strongest quakes they had experienced in recent years.
Aftershocks added to the unease, leading many to remain outside rather than risk returning indoors too quickly. Seismic activity was also reported in other major cities, including Medellín and Cali, extending the reach of the quake across a significant portion of the country.
In response, Bogotá’s mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, announced that all emergency and disaster response agencies had been mobilized. The city’s security services initiated structural assessments and outreach efforts to provide support where needed.
Colombia lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active region prone to frequent earthquakes due to tectonic plate interactions. The region has a history of devastating quakes, including a deadly 6.2 magnitude event in 1999 that claimed nearly 1,200 lives.
Though Sunday’s quake did not result in mass casualties, it served as a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to seismic events and the importance of preparedness in densely populated urban areas.
