A 6.3 magnitude earthquake jolted Bogotá, Colombia’s bustling capital, sending residents into panic and testing the city’s resilience in the face of natural disasters.
The tremor, centered 20 kilometers southwest of the city at a depth of 10 kilometers, struck during the evening rush hour, shaking buildings, rattling windows, and prompting thousands to evacuate homes, offices, and shopping centers. Bogotá, home to over 7 million people and nestled in a high-altitude valley surrounded by the Andes, experienced significant disruption, though early reports confirmed no fatalities, reflecting the city’s improved preparedness since past quakes exposed vulnerabilities in its infrastructure.
The quake’s impact was felt across Cundinamarca department, with minor structural damage reported in older neighborhoods like La Candelaria, where cracks appeared in historic buildings. Power outages affected 10% of Bogotá’s districts, and public transport, including the TransMilenio bus system, was temporarily halted to inspect infrastructure. Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, addressing residents via a televised broadcast, activated emergency protocols, deploying 500 rescue workers and 200 engineers to assess damage. Schools and public buildings closed for inspections, while hospitals treated dozens for minor injuries, primarily from falls or panic-induced incidents.
Colombia’s Geological Service warned of aftershocks, urging residents to avoid elevators and seek open spaces. The event reignited debates about Bogotá’s seismic readiness, with experts praising retrofitting efforts since the 1999 Quindío quake but calling for stricter building codes in rapidly expanding suburbs. Residents, shaken but relieved, shared stories of solidarity, with neighbors aiding elderly and vulnerable individuals during the chaos.