On Thursday, an earthquake of considerable proportions, with an estimated magnitude of 6.1, generated turmoil in Bogotá and central Colombia. The reports come from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Unfortunate Fatality in Connection with the Earthquake
Sadly, one life was lost in connection with this seismic event. Bogotá Mayor Claudia López Hernández relayed the sad news in a video shared on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. The victim, a woman from the Madelena neighborhood in Ciudad Bolivar, apparently panicked and tragically rushed from the tenth floor of a building, resulting in her demise. Mayor López Hernández stressed that this was the only serious incident related to the earthquake.
In the message attached to the video, the official expressed her condolences and detailed the provision of medical support to those who were present with the victim at the time of the event.
Origins and Details of the Earthquake
The epicenter of the earthquake was located 16 kilometers north of Cumaral, Meta, while the seismic focus was located 10 kilometers below the surface. The city of Villavicencio, capital of the department of Meta, is located approximately 33 kilometers southwest of the epicenter.
In addition, the Colombian Geological Service also corroborated that the seismic event occurred at 12:04 local time. According to their records, the epicenter could have been in the municipality of El Calvario, in the department of Meta.
Sequelae and Institutional Response
Just 13 minutes after the main quake, at 12:17 local time, the Colombian Geological Survey identified a magnitude 5.6 aftershock.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported that, according to data provided by the Colombian Geological Service, two seismic events were detected: one with an epicenter in the municipality of El Calvario, Meta, of magnitude 6.1, and another in the city of Villavicencio, with a magnitude of 5.6 and a shallow depth.
The impact of the quake spread across much of the country, according to the UNGRD. Currently, an evaluation of possible effects is being carried out in Villavicencio, while reports are being compiled from various entities that make up the National Disaster Risk Management System (SNGRD) at the national level.
The images they shared show individuals evacuating buildings and congregating in the streets of the capital.
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