A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck central Colombia on Wednesday, causing widespread damage across several cities and triggering major rescue operations as emergency crews search for survivors.
The most devastating destruction occurred in downtown Bogotá, where a multi-story apartment building partially collapsed, leaving the structure leaning dangerously against a neighboring building. Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries, while officials fear additional residents remain trapped beneath the debris.
According to Colombia’s geological authorities, the earthquake’s epicenter was located near Villavicencio, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Bogotá. The quake struck at around 10:47 a.m. local time and shook the region for nearly 45 seconds. Strong tremors were also felt in Medellín, Cali, and surrounding areas, prompting evacuations and temporary disruptions to transportation and public services.
Images from the disaster zone show a red-brick residential tower suffering catastrophic structural damage. Entire sections of balconies have collapsed, exterior walls are cracked open, air-conditioning units hang precariously from damaged façades, and exposed steel reinforcement bars reveal the force of the quake.
Streets surrounding the building are covered in concrete rubble, shattered glass, and twisted metal as firefighters, rescue personnel, and medical teams work alongside heavy equipment in a race to locate survivors. Emergency vehicles have established a command center near the site while authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
Officials have urged residents to avoid affected areas, remain alert for aftershocks, and follow instructions from emergency services as search-and-rescue efforts continue. The full scale of the disaster is still being assessed, and casualty figures are expected to change as operations progress.
