A powerful earthquake in Colombia has resulted in over 100 fatalities and left thousands missing, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency as rescue efforts intensify.

The earthquake, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, struck near San José del Palmar on Monday morning, causing widespread destruction across several cities, including Cali and Pereira. Official reports indicate that at least 111 people have died, while more than 2,000 individuals are currently unaccounted for, raising concerns about the scale of the disaster.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just days before the quake, emphasized that the priority is to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble. He has mobilized all available resources to assist in the ongoing search and recovery operations, which are hampered by damaged infrastructure and communication lines.

In addition to the loss of life, the earthquake has severely impacted housing, with over 1,500 homes reported as heavily damaged and around 60 buildings completely collapsed. Hospitals and schools have also suffered significant damage, complicating the response efforts. Authorities are using drones to assess the extent of the destruction, while local leaders are calling for support from neighboring cities.