Strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia and causes significant damage

A strong earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale shook Colombia on Monday, August 10, with its epicenter located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, at a depth of approximately 100 km. The tremor prompted an immediate response from authorities and was felt in several major cities, including Bogotá and Cali, as well as in neighboring countries such as Ecuador and Panama.

Authorities reported severe structural damage to various buildings, including significant impact on the cathedral of Manizales, which sustained major damage but did not collapse. At least 20 deaths have been confirmed, along with multiple injuries and three missing persons, although precise figures have yet to be fully clarified.

In the midst of the situation, local reporters and Chocó authorities indicated that the tremor encouraged many residents in various areas to evacuate due to fears of aftershocks. The governor of Chocó expressed concern over these additional seismic movements that have been recorded since the initial earthquake.

Since the incident, aftershocks have been reported in different districts across the country, creating a state of alert and tension among the population. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have ruled out the possibility of a tsunami following the quake.

The seismic event has generated extensive media coverage, with sensitive images of collapsed buildings shared on social media. Residents in Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador also shared their experiences during the seismic event, which caused moments of tension in those regions.

Former President Gustavo Petro spoke out on social media, calling on officials from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd) regarding the conditions at the Hidroituango hydropower plant following the tremor.