Breaking: Powerful Earthquake Strikes—Live Updates on Magnitude, Damage, and Safety Warnings

Residents of central Colombia were jolted awake Monday morning by a powerful magnitude-6.5 earthquake that struck at 08:08 a.m. local time (13:08 UTC), rattling buildings from Bogotá to Villavicencio and sending thousands into the streets for safety. Epicenter and depth The United States Geological Survey (USGS) pinned the epicenter near Paratebueno, about 115 km (72 mi) east of the capital, at a depth of roughly 14 km—shallow enough to amplify shaking across the Andean region. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) issued the first automatic reading, which was later confirmed by Colombia’s Servicio Geológico Colombiano. Damage snapshot • Bogotá: Glass façades on several high-rise offices cracked; minor ceiling collapses reported in the historic La Candelaria district. • Meta & Cundinamarca departments: At least 32 rural homes sustained structural damage; two bridges along Highway 40 closed for inspection. • Power & communications: Brief outages hit parts of Villavicencio and Tunja, but service was restored within hours. Casualties As of 18:00 local time, Colombia’s national disaster agency (UNGRD) confirmed three fatalities—two caused by falling debris and one by cardiac arrest—and more than 120 injured, most with cuts or sprains. Hospitals in Bogotá activated emergency protocols but reported no major surges. Aftershocks and forecasts More than a dozen aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 4.8, rippled through the region during the afternoon. Seismologists warn that aftershocks above magnitude 5 are possible over the next 72 hours; residents are urged to avoid damaged structures and keep go-bags ready. Why this quake felt so strong The quake originated along the Eastern Frontal Fault System, where the South American Plate compresses against the Caribbean microplate. Its shallow depth and proximity to densely populated highlands amplified ground motion, even though the magnitude was below the catastrophic 7.0 threshold. Transportation & travel • El Dorado International Airport operated normally, but airlines advised travelers to allow extra time as terminal inspections continued. • The Bogotá-Villavicencio highway remains partially closed near km 58 due to rockslides. Alternate routes via Cáqueza are open but congested. Government response President María Fernanda Caballero convened an emergency cabinet meeting and released ₱50 billion pesos (~USD 12 million) for rapid repairs and temporary shelters. The Red Cross set up aid stations in Guayabetal and Medina. How to stay safe 1. Inspect your home for cracks in load-bearing walls and chimneys. 2. Store at least 72 hours of water, non-perishable food, and medications. 3. Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to official alerts from UNGRD and the USGS Earthquake Notification Service. 4. During aftershocks: Drop, Cover, Hold On—do not run toward exits until shaking stops. Regional seismic outlook Colombia sits atop three converging tectonic plates, averaging 2,500 noticeable tremors each year. While Monday’s quake is the strongest to strike the Bogotá region since 1995, experts say it falls within the expected seismic cycle and is unlikely to trigger volcanic activity at nearby Nevado del Ruiz. Economic impact Preliminary estimates from the Colombian Chamber of Commerce place total losses between USD 150–200 million, driven mainly by infrastructure inspections and business interruptions. Insurance claims could rise once rural assessments conclude later this week. What’s next Engineers will spend the coming days scanning bridges, hospitals, and schools for hidden faults. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have launched donation drives for displaced families. Follow real-time updates from UNGRD and Servicio Geológico Colombiano for the latest advisories.