At least 132 people have died and 572 others have been injured after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday.

President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national disaster as emergency teams continue rescue and recovery operations across several affected areas.

The earthquake was recorded about five kilometres east of San José del Palmar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Pereira and Cali are among the worst-affected areas, with significant loss of life and widespread structural damage reported.

Authorities say at least 61 buildings have collapsed, while more than 1,600 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Health facilities, community centres and roads have also suffered damage.

In Cali, at least 20 buildings collapsed, with people trapped inside several structures. Rescue teams were working to reach at least 15 people believed to be trapped in one building.

A hospital in Cali was also badly damaged after part of one wing collapsed, forcing patients to be moved to safer locations.

Severe damage and injuries have also been reported in Quibdo, the capital of the Chocó department.

Air services have been suspended at seven airports in Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, Quibdo, Buenaventura and Cartago.

No building collapses have been reported in the capital, Bogota.

The earthquake was the strongest recorded in Colombia in the past decade, according to the Colombian Geological Survey. Tremors were felt across the country and in neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.

President de la Espriella said he was travelling to Bogota to coordinate the national emergency response and has established a unified command post to oversee operations in affected areas, including the Coffee-Growers’ Axis.

The United States has also offered support, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the Trump administration was closely monitoring the situation and was prepared to assist Colombia.

Source: ABC News