BUENOS AIRES, August 10. /TASS/. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake recorded on Monday in western Colombia was the most powerful national quake in the last decade, according to the country’s Geological Survey.

"In connection with the earthquake that hit the country this morning, on August 10, with its epicenter in San Jose del Palmar (Choco department), the Geological Survey of Colombia reports that the magnitude of this earthquake was 7.4, and its depth was approximately 103 km, which makes it the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the last decade. This phenomenon was widely felt in various regions of the country, as well as neighboring states Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. After that, two aftershocks with magnitudes of 2.8 and 4.8 were recorded, with the latter being widely felt," the service said on X.

It said the seismic activity in the region is due to the "natural tectonic dynamics" of the western part of Colombia, meaning the area is prone to strong earthquakes.

Earlier, the Colombian Geological Service said that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 struck near the city of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco department. The cities of Pereira and Manizales were the hardest hit. At present, 24 have been reported killed.