At least 132 killed in Colombia’s largest earthquake in years

At least 132 people have lost their lives in Colombia's most powerful earthquake in recent years, with a state of emergency now in effect. The magnitude 7.4 quake struck at 07:34 local time, 103km beneath the Earth's surface. Seismic activity was felt across western Colombia, with the hardest hit areas being the city of Pereira and surrounding regions.

Pereira, located in the country's coffee-growing region, experienced significant damage, with at least 40 people dead and 65 buildings collapsing. The epicenter was near the village of San José del Palmar, but surprisingly, there were no reported fatalities or injuries in the area. About 480 people were injured during the quake.

Buildings in Cali, about 160km south of Pereira, also sustained damage. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster situation, allowing authorities to reallocate funds for emergency response. The country's aviation authority reported damage to several regional airports, and tremors were felt as far away as neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.