Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck Colombia. The quake caused material damage and injuries in Quibdo, the capital of the Choco department, which is the closest city to the epicenter.The Colombian Geology Service reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was near the municipality of San Jose del Palmar, in the Choco department, at a depth of 96 kilometers. Experts warn that an earthquake of this magnitude can cause damage in densely populated areas.The Governor of Choco, Nubia Carolina Cordoba, stated on social media, "We just experienced a serious seismic event in Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks. Despite the epicenter being in San Jose del Palmar, there are injured people and significant damage to buildings in the capital Quibdo" . Cordoba added, "We have begun damage assessment work to prepare the first official report."Earthquakes occur relatively frequently in different regions of Colombia. The quake was felt in several cities, including Bogota, Cali, Manizales, and Pereira, which are home to a significant portion of the country's population of approximately 50 million. In the capital city of Bogota, hundreds of people evacuated their buildings and took to the streets.