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Evacuations
as 6.6 earthquake shakes Colombia capital
RT,
10
March, 2015
A
magnitude 6.6 earthquake has hit the Colombian capital of Bogota,
prompting mass evacuations from the city’s buildings. Strong and
prolonged tremors sparked panic and a social media storm.
The
Colombian Geological Survey reported that the tremors originated from
the Santander Department area and were 158 kilometers deep. The
earthquake was an estimated magnitude of 6.6.
According
to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was centered about
nine miles (14 kilometers) north of Aratoca, which is about 175 miles
(280 kilometers) north of Bogota. The epicenter was reportedly 91
miles (147 kilometers) deep. The USGS revised the earthquake’s
magnitude to 6.2.
No damage or casualties were immediately reported.
No damage or casualties were immediately reported.
Residents
reported on Twitter that tremors were felt in several Colombian
cities, and posted photos of people rushing into the streets and
waiting outside houses, cafes, and shopping centers.
There
were reports that cellphone networks were completely jammed in the
capital minutes after the earthquake struck. Local media said the
quake was felt in the second biggest city of Medellin, as well as in
several Venezuelan cities near the border.
“We know of no serious impact up to now,” Oscar Ivan Marquez of the presidency’s Risk Management office said, as quoted by Reuters.
“We know of no serious impact up to now,” Oscar Ivan Marquez of the presidency’s Risk Management office said, as quoted by Reuters.
Photos
posted on social media show stores with goods lying on the floor and
wine bottles shattered,
wrecked communication lines underground, and damage caused to
historical buildings in Bogota. Twitter user @whatsbenupto
also reported that
a student riot broke out in the city following the quake.
Although
no significant destruction was caused by the Tuesday quake, tremors
of similar strength could be deadly if they are shallow and close
enough to populated areas. In January 1999, a 6.2 magnitude
earthquake centered 40 kilometers away from the Colombian city of
Ibagué shattered homes and killed at least about 1,200 people,
heavily affecting the regional capitals of Armenia and Pereira. Some
4,000 people were said to be missing in the aftermath of the quake,
which caused a widespread communication breakdown, riots, and
looting.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed by local authorities.
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