Colombia earthquake: Death toll touches 132, 570 injured, rescue operations progressing

BOGOTA: The death toll in the earthquake that rattled western Colombia has touched 132. Nearly 570 people have sustained injuries. The authorities said Colombian city of Pereira was the worst hit. 60 people lost their lives here. Red alerts have been issued for five capital cities. 86 buildings collapsed in the earthquake. Services at seven airports have been canceled.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Esperanza said 1,577 residential buildings had collapsed. He also said 18 health centers and 52 schools have been damaged. The government declared the earthquake a national disaster. Officials said rescue efforts were underway and the death toll could rise. Colombia's geological service said it was the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the 21st century.

The earthquake, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, struck at 7:34 am local time (6:04 pm Indian time) at a depth of 107 kilometers, 5 kilometers east of San José del Palmar in Choco province. The tremor was felt in the capital Bogota and in neighboring Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama. People in cities such as Bogota and Cali fled in panic. There is no tsunami threat in the area.