The United States Geological Survey (USGS) communicated this Monday the detection of a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 on the Richter scale, whose epicenter has been located five kilometers from the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the Colombian department of Chocó.
"We have just experienced a serious seismic event in the department of Chocó. We are concerned about the aftershocks. Although the epicenter was San José del Palmar, in the capital Quibdó there are injuries and serious damage to buildings. We are already assessing the damage to issue the first official report," indicated the governor of the department of Chocó, Nubia Córdoba, on social media.
The president of the country, Abelardo de la Espriella, has informed that he has taken "the leadership" after the earthquake. "I have ordered the installation of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the attention to the damages and the affected," he indicated.
Likewise, he has requested from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) a detailed report of the situation and the most urgent needs. "I will also be personally in Pereira to accompany the affected and verify the Government's response," he indicated.