Magnitude 4.2 aftershock hits earthquake-stricken region of Colombia

A magnitude 4.2 aftershock rattled the region of Colombia most affected by a powerful earthquake earlier this week, causing fear among residents and temporarily halting rescue efforts. The tremor, which occurred on Thursday, was centered in the municipality of San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, the same location as the initial magnitude 7.4 earthquake on Monday.

This latest aftershock is among the strongest detected so far and the second to exceed magnitude 4.0, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC). The seismic event was clearly felt in the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca, and Risaralda, all of which sustained significant damage from the initial earthquake. No new casualties or structural collapses have been reported as a direct result of this specific aftershock.

Since the major earthquake on Monday, the SGC has recorded over 160 aftershocks, with 12 exceeding magnitude 3.0 and two surpassing 4.0. The Colombian authorities have confirmed 265 fatalities from the initial earthquake, with an additional 3,494 people injured, 53,816 affected, and 496 individuals still missing. In response to the scale of the crisis, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an economic emergency on Wednesday to facilitate the channeling of national and international funds for reconstruction and aid to those affected.