Strong 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Colombia

Written on 06/08/2025
Josep Freixes
A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook most of Colombia, including Bogotá, on Sunday, but no casualties or serious damage were reported. Credit: Victor Cohen / Colombia One.

Colombia woke up this Sunday to a strong earthquake, measuring up to 6.5 on the Richter scale, which was felt across much of the country, including the capital, Bogota.

The quake, with its epicenter in the municipality of Paratebueno—about 190 km east of Bogota—struck at a depth of less than 30 km, allowing it to be felt in several parts of central and southern Colombia.

According to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), it was felt with significant intensity, particularly in the foothills of the Llanos region and in Bogotá, where it caused moments of panic among residents. However, no serious damage or casualties have been reported so far.

This is the strongest earthquake Colombia has experienced since 2004.

Colombia suffers strong 6.5 magnitude earthquake

This Sunday morning, June 8, Colombia woke up to a strong seismic movement that reached 6.5 on the Richter scale, according to reports from authorities in the South American country.

The quake occurred at 8:08 am, but minutes after this main tremor, several aftershocks were detected: one of 4.0 at 8:20 a.m., another of 4.5 at 8:37 a.m., and even one of 4.6, all with shallow depth.

At least nine aftershocks were counted in total in the foothills area, keeping authorities on alert. In Bogotá, where seismic alarms activated in several buildings, some people were trapped in elevators and others experienced anxiety attacks, though only one clinically treated case was confirmed. No victims have been reported.

Impacts on secondary roads: Cracks and closures for earthquake

One of the most significant impacts occurred on the highway connecting Villavicencio and Yopal, a critical route in the foothills region. A large crack appeared in the stretch between Paratebueno and Maya, deforming the pavement and prompting a precautionary closure of the corridor while inspections and debris removal are carried out.

The concessionaire responsible for the highway recommended temporary closures of nearby tunnels, bridges, and viaducts to assess safety conditions. Following initial stability reports, the Ministry of Transportation later authorized the reopening of the Bogotá–Villavicencio corridor.

Power failures and minor infrastructure damage

In San Juan de Rioseco and other nearby municipalities, utility poles and high-tension wires were affected, causing partial power outages. Enel Colombia quickly deployed crews to restore service. Power outages were also recorded at several transformers in Bogotá, although service was quickly restored.

In Paratebueno and Medina, wall collapses and cracks in facades and lightly built homes were reported. In Medina, a wall collapsed in an alley, while in Sibaté, minor damage was documented at a local temple, which was evacuated as a precaution.

Paratebueno’s mayor, Norberto Noreña, described the situation in Santa Cecilia, near the national highway: “There are a great many houses down, and there is major damage; we are heading there,” he said. The Mayor’s Office also treated four people with minor injuries in the area.

Bogota: Agitation for the earthquake, but no serious damage

The capital reported minor damage to major structures and facades, including broken windows and falling debris from older buildings, though no collapses occurred. “Preliminary reports indicate that the earthquake in Bogota left no injured persons,” stated Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán. Only one person was transported due to an anxiety attack.

“So far, some damage is being reported—mostly minor—to facades and structures. Several transformers were also damaged, causing power outages, but service has already been restored in much of the city,” the mayor wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Medellín’s Metro and other scheduled transit systems in multiple cities reported no disruptions following the inspections, though in Bogotá, some elevators became momentarily blocked due to automatic safety failures.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) activated assessment protocols in all affected municipalities. It indicated that local and departmental committees are deployed to conduct detailed inspections.

The Governor of Cundinamarca, Jorge Emilio Rey, confirmed that structural inspections of churches, side roads, and electrical systems are being prioritized. In Sibaté and Medina, the temporary closure of places of worship was ordered due to risk of deterioration.

Additionally, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) emphasized recommendations for the public: stay away from facades, windows, storage tanks, utility poles, and elevators, and move to safe spaces during aftershocks.

30 houses destroyed in the epicenter municipality

Although no major damage was reported in Bogota and other large cities, in the municipality of Paratebueno, where the epicenter was located, a total of 30 houses were totally destroyed.

In addition, the rest of the town has suffered damages of varying magnitude, leaving more than 164 houses, the town school and even the church, which suffered significant damage.

Despite this, the authorities have reported that there are no fatalities and that the few injuries were minor and that, in the afternoon, no one was still in hospital.

Hours after the earthquake and its multiple aftershocks, Paratebueno is still without electricity, water and communications services, with significant damage to the road that connects it with Bogota and Villavicencio.

Seismic context and lessons learned in Colombia

Colombia lies in a zone of high seismic activity where three tectonic plates converge: the South American, Nazca, and Caribbean plates. On average, more than 50,000 earthquakes are recorded each month, though most are imperceptible.

The 6.5-magnitude tremor in Paratebueno adds to a history of significant seismic events, such as the 1999 Armenia earthquake (6.2), which caused nearly 1,000 fatalities. The shallow depth of Sunday’s quake—less than 30 km—intensified its impact at the surface, reaching a high intensity of up to VIII on the Mercalli scale.

This event highlights the importance of fostering a culture of prevention across the region, with resilient infrastructure and well-prepared community evacuation plans. In medium and large cities, seismic monitoring networks, emergency simulations, and alarm systems are essential tools to minimize losses.

For now, the UNGRD and Cundinamarca authorities are expected to release updated reports in the coming hours, detailing damages, estimated costs, and recovery plans, as the country considers how to turn this scare into momentum for building a more resilient Colombia.