Strong Earthquake Shakes Central Colombia, No Casualties Reported

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck central Colombia on June 8, 2025, sending shockwaves from Paratebueno to Bogotá and beyond. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake occurred at 8:08 a.m. local time at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The Colombian Geological Service registered it as slightly stronger, at magnitude 6.5. The epicenter was located around 17 kilometers northeast of Paratebueno, about 116 miles southeast of Bogotá.

Despite the intensity of the tremor and its shallow depth, no casualties or major structural damage have been reported. Residents across major cities including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali described buildings shaking and emergency sirens sounding. Many people evacuated into the streets, with some local authorities suspending operations in public venues to assess infrastructure stability.

A series of aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 4.0 to 4.6, followed shortly after the initial quake. Bogotá’s mayor confirmed minor façade damage and temporary power disruptions, with emergency responders deployed for precautionary inspections.

The region is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent tectonic activity. Colombia’s last major earthquake in the central region occurred in 1999 and resulted in over 1,000 fatalities. In contrast, the swift response and resilient infrastructure observed in this recent event appear to have prevented casualties.

Watch the following video for real-time footage of the earthquake and its immediate aftermath.