At least 111 people killed , many trapped as powerful earthquake hits Colombia

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia early Monday at a depth of 103 kilometers, knocking down buildings across several cities and leaving numerous people trapped in the rubble. Initial reports indicate a death toll ranging from at least 111 to at least 132 fatalities, with authorities warning that the number of dead is likely to rise as rescue efforts continue.

In response to the disaster, the Colombian government declared a state of emergency. The catastrophe also coincided with the immediate aftermath of a political transition, striking just days after the swearing-in of President Abelardo De La Espriella and thrusting the newly inaugurated administration into an immediate national crisis.