Earthquake on Pacific coast shakes Colombian capital; epicenter in Choco province

BOGOTA — A morning earthquake shook Colombian capital Bogota on Monday, with the tremor being felt as far away as the border with Venezuela, according to Reuters witnesses.

The Colombian geological service reported that the quake's epicenter was in Choco province, on the Pacific coast.

"We have just experienced a major earthquake in the department of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Although the epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo. We are already carrying out a damage assessment and will issue the first official report shortly," governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi said on X.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) said the 7:34 a.m. quake had a 6.6 magnitude and a depth of 79 km.

"The epicenter was located near San Jose del Palmar, Choco," the UNGRD said on its X account, adding it is in contact with local authorities to verify potential damage. — Reuters