7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Colombia, 69 dead, dozens buried under debris; Buildings evacuated

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck the South American country of Colombia. So far, 69 people have died. The quake struck at around 7 a.m. local time on Monday. People came out of their homes in panic. Many buildings have been evacuated. Hundreds of people are reported to have been injured. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the quake was in the Palmar area, about 400 kilometers west of the capital Bogotá. Its tremors were felt as far as neighboring Ecuador and Venezuela. Earthquake-related photos Why more earthquakes occur in Colombia Colombia is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. More than a thousand small and big earthquakes occur here every year. The biggest reason for frequent earthquakes in Colombia is its geographical location. The country falls in the region of earthquakes and volcanoes called the 'Ring of Fire'. Here many large tectonic plates such as Nazca, Cocos and South America collide with each other. One of these plates slides under the other. This is the reason why there is constant movement underground, which often leads to intense earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.