A magnitude 6.1 earthquake was recorded Thursday afternoon in central Colombia and was felt across much of the territory.
The Colombian Geological Survey reported that the epicenter was in El Calvario (Meta) and had a depth of less than 30 kilometers.
Residents of cities such as Bogotá and Medellín reported feeling the earthquake strongly and authorities are expected to rule on possible consequences.
#SismosColombiaSGC Seismic Event – Bulletin Updated 8/17/2023, 12:04 local time Magnitude 6.1, shallow depth (less than 30 km), El Calvario – Meta, Colombia Did you feel this earthquake? report it https://t.co/pgC7OC2O7j https://t.co/63pt8nVsSe #Shake #earthquake pic.twitter.com/Drujsfyq4G
– Colombian Geological Survey (@sgcol) August 17, 2023
At 12:17 PM, an aftershock was registered with a magnitude of 5.6.
The mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, indicated that they have no reports of damage in the city at this time. Glass falls and evacuations of people from infrastructures have been reported in the town of Villavicencio, according to El Tiempo.
At around 2 p.m., López announced that a woman was having a nervous breakdown and threw him into the void from the tenth floor of a residential building in the Madelena sector.
Damage was also noted in the Elliptic Hall of Congress via social networks.
The District PMU has for now overcome the incident of the strong quake. 25 minutes ago, the last aftershock stopped. Thank you very much for keeping the calm. There was no serious material damage. It was more the scare.
At this point, follow these instructions:
1. Enter again…— Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) August 17, 2023
The central Plaza de Bolívar, next to the presidential headquarters in Bogotá, quickly filled with people running from neighboring buildings, according to images posted on social networks.
About 10 minutes after the first event, the geological center registered an aftershock with an epicenter in the town of Villavicencio, in the same department, this time with a magnitude of 5.6.
The aftershock occurred as dozens of people were evacuating buildings in the capital, it confirmed AFP.
#17 Aug | THE ROOF FALLEN
Damage to the Elliptical Hall of the Colombian Congress in Bogotá after the quake. pic.twitter.com/nrfQolc70b
— 800 News (@800News_) August 17, 2023
“It was verified in the municipality of Calvario, Meta, an evacuation of the entire municipality was carried out, only the windows of houses and establishments were affected,” said a person in charge of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in a chat journalist.
According to the same source, “landslides are reported” in Villavicencio and “verify more damage”.
Central Colombia has great seismic activity and there is one of the most important geological faults in the country.
#ATTENTION🚨 | For example, the 6.1-degree quake felt in the center of the country was captured from the set of #ElNoticieroDeTodos.
Where did you feel the earthquake from? 🤔#Live 🔴📺 https://t.co/8j26qToVCP pic.twitter.com/Tc5ZPqQikn
– RTVC News (@RTVCnoticias) August 17, 2023
Strong aftershock right now in central Colombia after the magnitude 6.1 quake that struck a few minutes ago. This is how people lived in the broadcast of the Information of @NTN24 https://t.co/CeEBFU7BH2 pic.twitter.com/WV0Ulavqmo
—NTN24 (@NTN24) August 17, 2023
evacuated @mindefense Brigade members apply established protocols. Magnitude 5.6 acc @sgcol pic.twitter.com/6LDmcMJxFH
– Department of Defense (@mindefense) August 17, 2023
Source: Eluniverso

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