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

At least 132 people are dead and a state of emergency has been declared after Colombia was hit by one of its largest earthquakes in years.

More deaths are expected as rescuers search for survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The magnitude‑7.4 quake struck at 07:34 local time, 103 km deep in Chocó province, and was felt across a vast area of western Colombia.

Casualties were concentrated in Pereira and surrounding cities, with the Valle del Cauca region also suffering heavy losses.

Local officials reported no casualties in the village of San José del Palmar despite road damage.

Over 480 people were injured, and 65 buildings in Pereira collapsed, with 15 still believed to house trapped residents.

A curfew is in place in parts of the city until 05:00 local time on Tuesday.

In Cali, 32 buildings collapsed, and residents from London being among those displaced are experiencing the shock.

Fatalities were also reported in Manizales, Quibdó, Medellín, and other provinces.

In Bogota, earthquakes rattled trees and traffic lights, but no major damage has been reported so far.

The quake comes less than two months after devastating twin earthquakes in northern Venezuela that killed over 6,300.

President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national disaster situation, empowering the government to reallocate budgets and coordinate emergency responses.

International aid has been pledged; the U.S. Secretary of State, the EU, and neighboring countries have offered support.

USGS estimates that 1.5 million people felt the shaking near the seven‑level intensity.

Deep earthquakes are usually less destructive, but they can still damage buildings and trigger aftershocks.