A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Colombia, causing buildings to collapse, injuring residents and leaving some people trapped under rubble.
Dramatic footage circulating online shows people running for safety as buildings collapse around them following the earthquake.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck near the El Cairo region in Colombia’s Chocó Province, along the country’s Pacific coast. The epicentre was reportedly located at a depth of about 79 kilometres near San José del Palmar.
Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, was among the worst-affected areas, with reports of injuries and severe damage to buildings.
Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi said authorities were assessing the extent of the damage and warned residents about possible aftershocks.
“We have just experienced a severe seismic event in the department of Chocó. We are concerned about aftershocks,” the governor said in a statement shared on X.
“Although the epicentre was in San José del Palmar, in the capital Quibdó there are injuries and severe damage to buildings. We are already conducting the damage assessment to issue the first official report.”
Reports also indicated that several people may have been trapped beneath large concrete blocks in Quibdó.
In other parts of Colombia, residents were forced to flee their homes as the tremors were felt across several cities. In Bogotá, families preparing for work and school reportedly rushed out of their homes during breakfast.
Damage was also reported in Manizales, where the historic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was reportedly affected and could be at risk of further damage.
Authorities also reported evacuations in Medellín, while tremors were felt across the border in Ecuador, including the capital, Quito.
Emergency services and local authorities are continuing to assess the situation as rescue and recovery efforts get underway.
The earthquake comes amid heightened regional concerns following a series of devastating earthquakes in neighbouring countries.
Watch the video from the earthquake below.