A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck central Colombia on Sunday morning, shaking Bogotá and several surrounding regions and prompting emergency inspections across affected areas.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at approximately 8:08 a.m. local time (13:08 UTC) at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located near Paratebueno in Cundinamarca department, roughly 100–120 kilometers east-southeast of Bogotá.
The tremor was widely felt across central and western Colombia, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Reports indicate shaking lasted several seconds and led to evacuations of buildings, temporary power disruptions in some areas, and public alarm in major cities.
Initial reports of severe structural failure in Bogotá were not substantiated by later assessments. Authorities instead reported minor damage to more than 100 buildings in the capital, including cracked walls and non-structural damage. Some people were briefly trapped in elevators, and isolated medical incidents linked to panic were reported.
More significant impacts were recorded closer to the epicenter, including in Paratebueno, Medina, and nearby areas. These included damaged infrastructure, collapsed water tanks, affected commercial buildings, and disruptions to road access. Emergency services reported dozens of injuries, though there has been no confirmed large-scale loss of life as of the latest updates.
Rescue and assessment operations are ongoing, with aftershocks continuing to affect parts of the region. Colombian authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report structural damage.
Colombia lies in a seismically active zone, and officials note that earthquakes of this magnitude have previously caused serious damage in the region.
