Caracas.- The Government of Venezuela is assessing the effects of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook a large part of Colombia this Monday in its border states of Táchira and Zulia, and reported that, as of now, there are no victims or serious damage.
“Up to this moment, Civil Protection is conducting the assessment and receiving reports on the infrastructure in the state, with no severity at the moment, much less any human casualties to regret,” reported the governor of Táchira (west), Freddy Bernal, on his X account.
Read more: Baby rescued alive from rubble after tragedy in Venezuela
However, he stressed that when these types of events occur “there is almost always an aftershock of lesser impact,” so he called on the population to remain alert.
“Prevention agencies are deployed and Civil Protection plans are activated. Tranquility, calm, and coordination among citizens,” noted Bernal.
For his part, the governor of Zulia (west), Luis Caldera, reported that there is no damage in the state following the earthquake in Colombia and said that the protocols of the National Risk Management and Civil Protection System have been activated, according to a press release.
Caldera asked the population to remain calm and report “any developments” to the emergency numbers.
The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) initially reported this Monday that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.7, but in another bulletin it indicated that it was 7.4.
The tremor was felt at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) and its epicenter was the town of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, located on the Pacific coast, at a depth of 82 kilometers, the SGC indicated in an initial bulletin.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella convened an emergency committee to address the damage caused by the earthquake and announced that he will travel to Pereira, one of the most affected cities, to support those impacted.
On June 24th, a double earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 shook northern Venezuela, leaving at least 6,125 dead, 856 buildings affected, and 190 collapsed, according to official figures.
