A powerful magnitude-6.3 earthquake struck central Colombia late this morning, its epicenter near Villavicencio, about 80 kilometers southeast of Bogotá. The tremor, lasting nearly forty-five seconds, rattled buildings across the capital and was felt as far as Medellín and Cali.
In Bogotá, one of the most dramatic scenes unfolded when a red-brick apartment tower cracked at its core, leaning precariously over a neighboring building. Streets filled with shattered concrete, twisted rebar, and panicked residents as sirens wailed. First responders rushed in, forming human chains to clear debris while cranes and bulldozers clawed through rubble in search of survivors.
Hospitals declared emergencies as injured residents poured in, while makeshift triage centers appeared in schools and sports halls. Power lines and water mains snapped, forcing authorities to deploy generators and tankers. Officials urged residents to stay outdoors until buildings could be inspected.
President Duque announced a $50 million relief package, vowing rapid recovery efforts. By nightfall, rescuers with headlamps and dogs still searched the ruins, neighbors passing debris hand to hand. Amid devastation, stories of courage emerged—ordinary Colombians proving resilience in the face of disaster.
