Central Colombia Hit By 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake

The quake was centered 33 miles (54 km) east-southeast of Bogota at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 km), the USGS said.

A shallow, 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit central Colombia on Saturday, shaking buildings in the capital, Bogota, and sending panicked residents into the streets, witnesses and the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Authorities said there were no initial reports of injuries, but Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno told local radio some buildings in the city were slightly damaged.

"The report we have so far is that it was strong and some structures have suffered damage, but there is nothing to lament," Moreno said.

One Bogota government building was evacuated after the quake sent a shower of bricks tumbling off one of its walls. A tremor of that magnitude can cause considerable damage.

The quake was centered 33 miles (54 km) east-southeast of Bogota at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 km), the USGS said. The USGS earlier measured the quake at 5.7 magnitude at a depth of 2.2 miles (3.5 km).