7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia and Ecuador; authorities deny tsunami risk

Washington, Aug 10 (KUNA) – The United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced on Monday that a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, affecting the South American nation and its neighbor Ecuador and prompting residents to evacuate homes and buildings. In a statement, the agency said it detected ground movements reaching the epicenter in the San Jose del Palmar area, located approximately 250 miles (about 403 kilometers) west of the Colombian capital, Bogota. It noted that residents evacuated their homes following the tremor, although the Colombian Navy confirmed there was no risk of a tsunami. Meanwhile, Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Corry, governor of Choco province—the epicenter region in western Colombia—reported injuries and severe structural damage, with assessment operations still underway. She posted on the social media platform X, “A strong earthquake just hit Choco province, and we are concerned about aftershocks.” She added, “Although the epicenter was in San Jose del Palmar, the provincial capital of Quibdo experienced significant injuries and damage to buildings,” emphasizing that damage assessments were ongoing to issue the first official report on the earthquake. (End) R.S.R. / N.S.A.