Colombia earthquake: At least 132 people have been killed and more than 480 injured after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency as rescue teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

The Colombia earthquake struck at 07:34 local time (12:34 GMT) in Chocó province, according to the country’s geological service. The powerful tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 103 kilometers (64 miles) and was felt across a vast area of western Colombia.

Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as emergency workers reach affected communities and assess the extent of the destruction.

Pereira Among the Worst-Hit Cities

The city of Pereira, located in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, has suffered some of the most serious damage. The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, damaged infrastructure and left large amounts of debris across populated areas.

Videos verified by the BBC showed a building collapsing in Plaza Bolívar, Pereira’s main square. Dust and debris spread across the square following the collapse, highlighting the intensity of the earthquake and the danger faced by residents.

Nearby cities and parts of the Valle del Cauca region were also badly affected, with reports of structural damage and injuries continuing to emerge.

The Colombia earthquake was felt hundreds of miles from its epicentre, sending residents rushing outdoors as buildings shook violently.

Epicentre Near San José del Palmar

The epicentre was located near the village of San José del Palmar in Chocó province. Despite being close to the epicentre, the village reportedly avoided fatalities and serious injuries.

Local mayor León Fabio Marín Moncada described the situation as remarkable, saying there had been no reported deaths or injuries in the village despite severe damage to roads connecting the community with surrounding areas.

The damaged roads are expected to complicate rescue and relief operations, potentially delaying emergency teams from reaching some remote communities.

More Than 480 People Injured

Colombia’s Association of Capital Cities said in an update that more than 480 people had been injured in the earthquake and its impacts.

Emergency services have been deployed to affected areas as authorities assess damaged buildings and infrastructure. Rescue workers are focusing on locations where people may still be trapped under collapsed structures.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious because damaged buildings could collapse without warning, while aftershocks may create additional risks for communities already affected by the disaster.

State of Emergency Declared

The Colombian government has declared a state of emergency to coordinate rescue, medical and relief operations across the affected regions.

Emergency agencies are working to assess the full scale of the destruction, provide medical assistance to injured residents and help evacuate people from unsafe buildings.

The declaration is expected to allow authorities to mobilize additional resources and speed up assistance to communities facing shortages of emergency supplies and access problems.

Rescue Operations Continue

Search-and-rescue teams are continuing operations in areas where buildings have collapsed. Officials fear that additional victims could be discovered as rescue workers clear rubble and gain access to damaged structures.

Hospitals in affected cities are treating injured residents, while emergency authorities are working to establish the number of buildings damaged by the powerful quake.

The earthquake has also disrupted roads and transportation routes, particularly around communities close to the epicentre.

Death Toll Could Rise

With rescue operations still underway, authorities have warned that the death toll from the Colombia earthquake could increase.

The scale of the disaster is becoming clearer as emergency teams reach more communities and inspect buildings across western Colombia. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as rescue and assessment operations continue.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake ranks among the strongest earthquakes to strike Colombia in recent years and has caused widespread concern across the country.

For residents in affected regions, the immediate priorities remain finding survivors, treating the injured, securing damaged buildings and restoring access to communities cut off by damaged roads.