Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake Strikes Central Colombia, Felt Across the Nation

Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake Strikes Central Colombia, Felt Across the Nation

Bogotá, Colombia – June 8, 2025 – A powerful magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck central Colombia on Sunday morning, shaking cities across the country and prompting temporary evacuations and emergency responses. The quake, which occurred at 8:08 a.m. local time, was centered near Paratebueno, a municipality in the department of Cundinamarca, approximately 90 kilometers east of the capital, Bogotá.

The Colombian Geological Service confirmed the magnitude and reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, making it shallow and therefore more strongly felt at the surface. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) also recorded the event as a magnitude 6.5 earthquake, while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) listed it slightly lower, at 6.3.

Although there were no reported fatalities, local authorities confirmed minor injuries to at least four individuals, primarily due to panic and falling debris. In Paratebueno and the nearby town of Medina, minor structural damage was reported, including cracked walls, damaged roadways, and the partial collapse of an old church.

The quake was widely felt across more than 20 departments of Colombia, including major cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla, as well as along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Videos circulated on social media showed residents fleeing buildings and schools initiating emergency evacuation protocols.

“There was strong, sustained shaking in Bogotá,” said Carlos Velásquez, a resident of the capital. “We could feel it even on the top floors, and many people rushed out onto the streets in fear.”

Authorities swiftly activated emergency alert systems, and the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) began damage assessments in coordination with local governments. Power outages were briefly reported in parts of Bogotá and nearby towns but were restored within hours.

Dozens of aftershocks have been recorded, including several above magnitude 4.0. Seismologists warned that further tremors are likely in the coming days. Citizens were urged to remain alert and follow official guidance.

Colombia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is frequently affected by seismic activity due to the interaction of the Nazca, South American, and Caribbean tectonic plates.

Government officials stated that they are monitoring the situation closely and emphasized that critical infrastructure remains operational, including airports, hospitals, and major transport routes.

No tsunami warning was issued, as the earthquake’s epicenter was inland.

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Key Facts:

Magnitude: 6.5 (Colombian Geological Service & GFZ)

Epicenter: Paratebueno, Cundinamarca

Depth: 10 km

Time: June 8, 2025 – 08:08 a.m. (local time)

Casualties: No fatalities; 4 minor injuries

Damage: Minor structural damage in rural towns; brief power outages in Bogotá Aftershocks: Multiple, with the strongest above magnitude 4.0

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For emergency updates, Colombian citizens are advised to follow the official channels of the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) and the UNGRD