Powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocks Bogota, Colombia

A powerful earthquake struck central Colombia on Sunday, June 8, 2025, shaking the capital city of Bogotá and prompting panic among residents.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake measured 6.3 in magnitude.

Also, it was centered near the town of Paratebueno, approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of Bogotá.

However, Colombia’s own Geological Service reported a slightly higher magnitude, registering the tremor at 6.5 on the Richter scale.

The quake caused significant alarm in Bogotá, a densely populated capital city.

Reporters from the AFP news agency described scenes of buildings swaying and emergency sirens wailing as people quickly evacuated homes and apartment buildings.

Many residents, caught off guard, ran into the streets still wearing pajamas, some barefoot, clutching children or searching desperately for pets that fled in fear during the shaking.

Eyewitnesses recounted the intensity of the tremor.

One elderly woman told AFP that the quake felt “very strong” as she hurried down multiple flights of stairs to reach safety.

In public parks and open areas, people gathered in large numbers, comforting one another while waiting for updates from authorities.

Bogotá’s mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, addressed the situation via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), providing early details from emergency response teams.

He confirmed that, based on preliminary reports, there were no serious injuries or casualties resulting from the earthquake.

The only medical issue reported was a person suffering from an anxiety attack, who was promptly transferred to Bogotá’s Central Hospital for treatment.

Mayor Galán also noted that minor structural damage was observed in some areas, and a few neighborhoods experienced temporary power outages.

He noted on the other hand that those issues were swiftly addressed, and electrical service had already been restored by the time of his announcement.

Colombia is no stranger to seismic activity, particularly in its central regions.

The country sits atop multiple fault lines, making it vulnerable to frequent earthquakes.

This latest tremor brought back memories of a devastating quake in 1999, when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the same general area.

That disaster claimed nearly 1,200 lives, left thousands injured, and caused widespread destruction, particularly in the cities of Armenia and Pereira.

While Sunday’s earthquake did not result in such severe consequences, it served as a stark reminder of the ever-present risk in a seismically active region.

Authorities and emergency services remain on high alert.

They reportedly continue to inspect buildings and infrastructure across Bogotá and nearby towns to ensure there is no hidden or delayed damage.

Despite the fear it caused, the relatively limited impact of the earthquake highlighted improvements in Colombia’s building codes, emergency preparedness, and rapid response systems since the tragic events of the late 1990s.

Urban planning and civil defense measures appear to have contributed to minimizing both injury and structural damage during this latest incident.

As of Sunday afternoon, no aftershocks had been reported, but experts cautioned that they remain a possibility in the days to come.

Residents were advised to stay informed through official channels and to have emergency supplies and evacuation plans ready, particularly in areas more susceptible to future seismic activity.

Colombian authorities also praised the public for their calm and cooperative response.

Many residents evacuated buildings swiftly and safely, and emergency services reported no major incidents of disorder or injuries caused during the rush to safety.

The earthquake has once again drawn attention to the importance of continued investment in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in Colombia.

Although the outcome of this particular event was relatively mild, experts say the threat of a more devastating quake remains ever-present.

This they say is because Colombia is a country marked by its complex and shifting geological landscape.

In summary, while Bogotá and its surrounding regions experienced significant shaking from Sunday’s powerful earthquake, the overall impact was fortunately limited.

Authorities continue to assess the situation, and the incident has reignited conversations around earthquake preparedness in one of South America’s most seismically active countries.

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