A harrowing video captured from the top of a building under construction in Bogotá shows the terrifying moment when construction workers clung to steel beams as the structure swayed violently during the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia early Monday morning.
The footage, shared by the newspaper El Colombiano on its X account, conveys the panic experienced by the workers at great heights, as the building shifted and one worker tried to keep his colleagues calm amidst the chaos.
"Stay still, everyone, stay still. My God, my Lord. My God. Beloved, my God, Holy Father," the worker's voice trembles with fear as he speaks.
Unable to leave the structure immediately while the shaking continued, he began to pray out loud.
"Eternal Father, Holy Father, dear Father, help us, help us, my God," he pleaded.
Seconds felt like an eternity as the workers held on, waiting for the shaking to subside.
Once the tremors began to ease, the same worker urged his peers to descend cautiously.
"Let's go down, but calmly, let's go one at a time, calmly, calmly," he directed.
The video has become one of the most striking testimonies of the earthquake's impact in Bogotá, a city located hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, yet where the shaking was strong enough to prompt evacuations and scenes of panic.
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, located in northwestern Colombia.
Widespread Impact Across Colombia and Beyond
The tremor was strongly felt in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Barranquilla, as well as in parts of Ecuador and Panama.
In the Colombian capital, authorities initiated preventive evacuations in numerous buildings while emergency teams began assessing potential damage.
The situation was far more severe in other parts of the country.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least 111 people lost their lives and 87 were injured, with over 60 structures collapsing and 1,575 homes suffering damage.
The Chocó region, where the epicenter was located and known for its high seismic activity due to the convergence of several tectonic plates, also reported casualties and major damage.
Among the hardest-hit areas were cities in the Coffee Axis region, particularly Pereira and Manizales, along with Cali and Buenaventura.
Rescue Efforts Continue Amidst Aftermath
As rescue teams continued searching for survivors among the rubble, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert, indicating a scenario with the potential for significant human and economic losses.
The USGS initially estimated the probable death toll to be between 100 and 1,000, a figure that may be adjusted as more accurate data on the extent of the damage becomes available.
This earthquake ranks among the most powerful recorded in Colombia in recent decades, surpassing the magnitude of the devastating Coffee Axis quake of 1999, which claimed over 1,000 lives and devastated much of Armenia.
FAQs about the Colombia Earthquake
What was the magnitude of the earthquake in Colombia?
The earthquake that struck Colombia had a magnitude of 7.4.
Which areas were most affected by the earthquake?
The most affected areas included the Chocó region, Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Barranquilla, as well as parts of Ecuador and Panama.
How many casualties were reported?
Preliminary reports indicate that at least 111 people died and 87 were injured as a result of the earthquake.
What actions did authorities take in Bogotá following the quake?
Authorities in Bogotá initiated preventive evacuations in numerous buildings and emergency teams began assessing potential damage.