New earthquake in Cochabamba: Alert due to proximity to key cities and call for prevention against seismic activity in Bolivia

A new magnitude 4.6 earthquake shook the region of Cochabamba in Bolivia, causing alarm among the population due to its shallow nature and the proximity of important cities such as La Paz and Oruro. The San Calixto Observatory in Bolivia was responsible for reporting this seismic activity, which occurred at 20:30 local time at a depth of 15 kilometers. Despite not causing serious damage, this event triggered alarms from local and national authorities, who are working together to improve the response capacity to possible earthquakes in the country. The Vice Ministry of Civil Defense of Bolivia and the Municipality of La Paz have agreed to implement an earthquake response protocol, with the goal of preparing the population and institutions to deal with emergency situations. This decision was made during a meeting attended by representatives from various entities, emphasizing the importance of coordination and planning in case of natural disasters. Vice Minister of Civil Defense, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, stressed the need to be prepared for the possibility of a larger earthquake, reminding that Bolivia is prone to this type of events. Cochabamba was identified as the most vulnerable department, but aftershocks could extend to other areas, including the capital La Paz. In light of this, it was agreed to work on developing protocols and contingency plans that allow for an effective response in case of a large-scale earthquake. The director of the San Calixto Observatory, Gonzalo Fernández, highlighted the importance of sharing technical and scientific information with local authorities, in order to take preventive and structural measures that minimize risks in case of earthquakes. He also mentioned the recent seismic activity in different parts of the country, such as in La Paz and Potosí, which demonstrates the seismic activity in the region and the need to be prepared to face these eventualities. The earthquake on July 18, originating in Chile, generated aftershocks in several Bolivian departments, which has motivated authorities to coordinate actions to strengthen response capacity in those regions. Collaboration between government entities, engineering organizations, and the San Calixto Observatory is essential to implement preventive and emergency measures that protect the population in case of future seismic events. In this context, prevention and planning emerge as key elements to address Bolivia's seismic reality, a country that has historically experienced seismic movements. Public awareness, training for authorities, and coordination between institutions are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens in emergency situations. The recent meeting between the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense, the Municipality of La Paz, and other entities is an important step in the right direction, but it is necessary to continue working on the effective implementation of measures that strengthen society's resilience to the challenges posed by seismic activity in the country.