Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Colombia, felt in Ecuador; residents evacuate

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, causing tremors felt as far as the capital, Bogota, and in neighboring Ecuador. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Colombian Geological Survey reported the quake's magnitude. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar, approximately 400 kilometers west of Bogota. The earthquake occurred at a relatively deep level. Strong shaking prompted residents in affected areas of Colombia and Ecuador to evacuate their homes and buildings, according to reports. Hundreds of kilometers away in Bogota, buildings swayed, causing panic among citizens. As of now, authorities have not released specific figures regarding human casualties or the extent of property damage. Initial magnitude reports varied among different seismological centers, with the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) initially reporting 6.8 before revising it to 7.2, before the USGS and Colombian Geological Survey settled on 7.4.