Evacuations as 6.6 earthquake shakes Colombia capital

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A screenshot from Google maps.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has hit the Colombian capital of Bogota, prompting mass evacuations from the city's buildings. Strong and prolonged tremors sparked panic and a social media storm.

The Colombian Geological Survey reported that the tremors originated from the Santander Department area and were 158 kilometers deep. The earthquake was an estimated magnitude of 6.6.

BOGOTA, Colombia - A Widely Felt Earthquake Has Shaken Colombia's Capital, Swaying Buildings. No Immediate Reports of Damages -AP

— Breaking News (@Breaking911) March 10, 2015

"@monterocnn: Evacúan varios edificios del centro de #Bogotá tras el fuerte sismo http://bit.ly/1EUz2P4 http://bit.ly/1EUz2P8"

— AdrianaCarolina! (@Cinnamon_Skin22) March 10, 2015

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was centered about nine miles (14 kilometers) north of Aratoca, which is about 175 miles (280 kilometers) north of Bogota. The epicenter was reportedly 91 miles (147 kilometers) deep. The USGS revised the earthquake's magnitude to 6.2.

No damage or casualties were immediately reported.

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Residents reported on Twitter that tremors were felt in several Colombian cities, and posted photos of people rushing into the streets and waiting outside houses, cafes, and shopping centers.

There were reports that cellphone networks were completely jammed in the capital minutes after the earthquake struck. Local media said the quake was felt in the second biggest city of Medellin, as well as in several Venezuelan cities near the border.

"We know of no serious impact up to now," Oscar Ivan Marquez of the presidency's Risk Management office said, as quoted by Reuters.

Photos posted on social media show stores with goods lying on the floor and wine bottles shattered, wrecked communication lines underground, and damage caused to historical buildings in Bogota. Twitter user @whatsbenupto also reported that a student riot broke out in the city following the quake.

Although no significant destruction was caused by the Tuesday quake, tremors of similar strength could be deadly if they are shallow and close enough to populated areas. In January 1999, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake centered 40 kilometers away from the Colombian city of Ibagué shattered homes and killed at least about 1,200 people, heavily affecting the regional capitals of Armenia and Pereira. Some 4,000 people were said to be missing in the aftermath of the quake, which caused a widespread communication breakdown, riots, and looting. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed by local authorities.