A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, shaking large parts of the country and sending residents rushing out of buildings.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó department, with the epicenter reported about 5 kilometers east of the town. The quake occurred at a depth of roughly 66 miles (106 kilometers), according to USGS and Colombian authorities.

The strong tremor was felt across a wide area, including Bogotá, which lies hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Shaking was also reported in neighboring Ecuador, prompting people in several cities to evacuate buildings as a precaution.

Authorities in Chocó reported injuries and damage to buildings, although the full extent of the destruction was not immediately clear as emergency teams began assessing affected areas.

Chocó Governor Nubia Córdoba said there had been injuries and significant structural damage in the regional capital, according to initial reports. Residents in several locations were seen leaving buildings following the powerful shaking.

The depth of the earthquake may have helped limit the severity of damage in some areas despite its high magnitude, although authorities continued to assess the situation and warned that further information could emerge as emergency operations progressed.

The earthquake was powerful enough to be felt far from its epicenter. Residents in Bogotá and other parts of Colombia reported strong shaking, while tremors were also felt across parts of Ecuador.

The quake struck at around 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, according to reports citing seismic monitoring data.

Emergency authorities were conducting inspections of infrastructure, buildings and roads in affected areas as reports of damage continued to emerge.

The earthquake comes after a series of significant seismic events in the wider northern South American region in recent weeks, including powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June.

Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks, avoid damaged buildings and follow instructions from emergency services as assessment and response operations continue. (ILKHA)