Colombian authorities declared a state of emergency after a powerful 7,4-magnitude earthquake killed at least 132 people. The death toll is expected to rise, as people may still be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, the BBC reports.

The tremors occurred at 7:34 local time at a depth of approximately 103 kilometers in the province of Chocó. The earthquake was felt across a vast area of the western part of the country.

The city of Pereira in Colombia's coffee region was hit hardest, with surrounding towns and the Valle del Cauca region also hit hard. According to local authorities, at least 40 people have died in the Pereira metropolitan area, 65 buildings have been destroyed, and 15 more are believed to be occupied. A nighttime curfew has been imposed in the city.

In Cali, located approximately 160 km from Pereira, 32 buildings collapsed. Eyewitnesses described panic and damage to hotels and homes. Victims reported cracking walls, plaster falling from ceilings, and books and dishes falling from shelves.

Deaths were also reported in Manizales, Quibdó, and Medellín. According to the Association of Capital Cities of Colombia, more than 480 people were injured. Damage was reported at several regional airports, including Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdó. No significant damage was reported in the capital, Bogotá, although residents reported cracks in buildings and the shaking of trees and traffic lights.

The tremors were also felt in neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. The earthquake occurred less than two months after a series of powerful tremors in Venezuela that killed more than 6300 people.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espreya, who took office only on Friday, declared a state of national disaster, giving authorities additional powers to reallocate budget funds for disaster relief. According to him, more than 1500 homes were damaged.

A number of world leaders expressed their condolences and support for Colombia. The United States announced its readiness to provide assistance, the European Union announced the use of the Copernicus satellite system to coordinate rescue operations, and the President of El Salvador offered to send equipment and rescuers to Colombia.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tremor, which measured close to magnitude 7, was felt by approximately 1,5 million people. Experts note that deep earthquakes like this one are generally less dangerous to structures than shallow ones, but they can release energy that can cause significant damage.