A 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook central Colombia on Tuesday morning, triggering building collapses in Bogotá and leaving multiple people dead.
The earthquake struck at 10:47 AM local time with its epicenter near Villavicencio, approximately 50 miles southeast of the capital. The ground shook for nearly 45 seconds and was felt across major cities including Medellín and Cali.
Damage and Casualties
A multi-story residential building in downtown Bogotá partially collapsed, with the structure leaning onto an adjacent property. Emergency services reported multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries, with rescue teams still searching for people believed trapped beneath rubble.
Images from the scene showed a red-brick tower with collapsed balconies, snapped steel reinforcements, and air conditioning units hanging from damaged walls. Debris covered streets below as rescue teams and firefighters coordinated search-and-rescue operations using heavy machinery.
Response and Ongoing Efforts
Emergency personnel worked through dust and wreckage to locate survivors throughout Tuesday. Authorities deployed additional rescue teams to affected areas across the region.
Colombia’s national disaster agency activated emergency protocols and began damage assessments across multiple cities. Officials urged residents in affected zones to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
This story has been updated. CNN’s International Desk contributed to this report.
