Strong 7.0 Eq hits Colombia, 143 houses damaged

A powerful but deep earthquake shook a broad swath of Colombia and Ecuador on Saturday, sending frightened people fleeing into the streets.

As of 19.21 UTC the number of injured persons increased to 8. At least 143 houses were damaged. Almost all reported serious damage and collapsed houses happened in the flat area of the Pacific Coastal plain.

The quake was felt in the Colombian capital of Bogota, some 340 miles (545 kilometers) to the northeast, and across much of neighboring Ecuador.

In the province of Narino, where the quake hit, secretary of government Jaime Rodriguez said officials had reports of three people hurt when roof tiles fell in the town of El Charco along the Pacific Coast.

"Authorities said the quake was deep and ask people to stay calm," Colombian media network Caracol reported in a Tweet.

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