69 killed as 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Colombia, buildings collapse

The earthquake struck near San Jose del Palmar in Colombia's Choco region, about 400 kilometres west of the capital Bogota.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at a depth of 107 kilometres.

The powerful tremors were felt across large parts of Colombia and in neighbouring Ecuador.

Pereira among worst-hit areas

Pereira was among the worst-affected areas, with Mayor Mauricio Salazar telling local broadcaster Caracol Radio that 18 people had been killed there. He described the situation as "critical".

Footage shared by Colombian media showed homes and smaller buildings collapsing in Pereira, Cali and Quibdo.

In Manizales, located around 300 kilometres west of Bogota, one of the towers of a neo-Gothic cathedral collapsed following the earthquake.

Emergency teams were deployed across affected areas as authorities assessed the extent of the destruction and searched damaged structures for survivors.

Six airports suspend operations

Colombia's civil aviation authority said six airports in western Colombia were damaged and had suspended operations following the earthquake.

The affected airports serve Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura, the agency said in a post on X.

Officials were carrying out inspections to determine whether the airports could safely resume operations.

President takes charge of response

Colombia's newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella said he had taken charge of the government's response to the emergency in San Jose del Palmar.

"You are not alone. The state is present and taking action," the president said.

Emergency services and local authorities continued rescue and relief operations as reports of casualties and damage emerged from several parts of western Colombia.

Earthquake felt in Ecuador

The earthquake was also felt across the border in neighbouring Ecuador, although the extent of damage there was not immediately clear.

The USGS recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4 and a depth of 107 kilometres.

While smaller earthquakes, locally known as "temblores", are relatively common in central and western Colombia, earthquakes above magnitude 6 are comparatively rare.

Colombia has suffered devastating earthquakes in the past. A magnitude 6.2 earthquake near the city of Armenia killed more than 1,100 people.

Authorities are expected to continue updating the casualty figures as rescue teams reach affected communities and assess damaged buildings.