A strong earthquake has struck Colombia. The tremors were felt across a wide area, including the capital Bogota, as well as in neighbouring Ecuador and Venezuela.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4. The epicentre of the tremors was located in western Colombia, near the San Jose del Palmar area in the Choco department. The earthquake struck at a depth of approximately 100 kilometres.
The strong shaking caused panic in various Colombian cities. In the capital Bogota, some residents reportedly evacuated buildings for safety. The earthquake was also felt in Quito, the capital of neighbouring Ecuador, as well as in some regions of Venezuela.
According to preliminary reports, some buildings in areas near the epicentre were damaged, and there have been reports of injuries. Local authorities have begun assessments in the area to determine the extent of the possible destruction.
The governor of the Choco department expressed concern about possible aftershocks following the earthquake. Rescue and emergency services continue to assess the situation in the region.
