A 6.3 magnitude earthquake has devastated central Colombia, causing a multi-story apartment building to partially collapse in Bogotá and leaving multiple people dead and dozens injured.
The earthquake struck at 10:47 AM local time with its epicenter near Villavicencio, roughly 80 kilometers southeast of the capital. The ground shook for approximately 45 seconds and was felt in cities including Medellín and Cali.
Emergency services reported the building collapse in downtown Bogotá, where a red-brick residential tower suffered severe structural damage. Balconies gave way, air conditioning units tore from walls, and steel reinforcements fractured under the force of the tremor.
Search and Rescue Underway
Rescue teams and firefighters mobilized immediately following the earthquake, coordinating operations amid heavy debris and dust. Heavy machinery and emergency vehicles positioned themselves throughout the affected area as crews worked to locate residents feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Officials warned that the death toll and injury count remained preliminary as search-and-rescue efforts continued into the afternoon. Many residents remained unaccounted for in the collapsed structure.
Wider Impact Across Region
The earthquake’s effects extended across multiple cities in central Colombia as the powerful tremor rippled through densely populated areas. Structural damage assessments were underway in surrounding communities near the epicenter.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.
