Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes Colombian capital, prompting evacuations

The earthquake prompted people in offices and restaurants to evacuate

Bogota, Colombia (photo credit: FLICKR)
Bogota, Colombia
(photo credit: FLICKR)

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Colombian capital Bogota on Thursday, according to the country's geological service, prompting people in offices and restaurants to evacuate.

This was followed by an aftershock minutes later as residents crowded the streets.

"It was strong, and lasted a long time, said Adrian Alarcon, 43, who works near the capital's busy Park 93 district. "All my coworkers stood up and we looked at each other like 'what do we do?'"

"It makes me feel fragile," he added. "Life changes you in a second. You can't do anything, just run for your life."

Colombia's civil defense agency noted residents had been evacuated in the entire municipality of Calvario, in Meta, southeast of the high-altitude capital. Windows in the area were damaged by the quakes.

In nearby Villavicencio, the agency reported a landslide and said its staff was checking for more impacts.

This is a developing story.