Dominicans in Colombia recount earthquake terror

Dominicans residing in Colombia shared their harrowing experiences during the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the country on Monday. The tremor, which caused fatalities and significant structural damage, prompted many to flee their homes in search of open spaces.

The earthquake struck around 7:34 a.m. local time and was felt in major cities including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Those affected described being caught off guard while sleeping or engaged in daily activities. The intensity of the shaking led them to abandon their residences temporarily.

Rogers De La Cruz, a Dominican journalist based in Medellín, was preparing breakfast when the earthquake began. He described seeing the water in his pot and appliances move, feeling the floor and television shake, and immediately evacuating his apartment on the tenth floor. He noted that some residents left their homes in sleepwear and sought refuge in parks and other open areas.

After the shaking stopped, De La Cruz returned to his building to gather belongings and then ventured out again. He observed cracks on the first floor of his building and in apartments on the second level, though his own apartment on the tenth floor showed no visible damage. He also witnessed numerous people gathered outside buildings and commercial establishments, anxiously following news updates about the earthquake's impact. Many, including students and shoppers, reacted with fear to the event.