Horror footage emerges as more than 100 killed in ‘national disaster’ Colombia earthquake

There have been 132 confirmed deaths after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 10.

The strongest tremor Colombia has suffered in the 21st century, according to the Colombia Geological Survey agency, struck San Jose Del Palmer just after 7:30am local time (1:30pm in the UK).

The epicentre was located around 250 miles west of Bogotá, the country's capital city, and the Colombian government has declared it a 'national disaster.'

There has been a string of horrifying videos shared on social media showing the destructive force of the earthquake in shocking detail.

Many of the clips show buildings violently shaking, cracking, their facades crumbling away or just collapsing completely, with terrified onlookers gathering in the street to get as far away as possible from any falling debris.

One particular video shows the spire of a historic neo-Gothic cathedral in the city of Manizales giving way as a crowd of devastated onlookers watched on.

Others show people frantically digging through rubble of toppled buildings in search of survivors.

The worst hit areas of the Colombia earthquake

As of the last update from Sky News, the worst hit area was the city of Pereira, where at least 47 people have been killed, said the local police chief.

27 people have died, including three children, in the department of Valle del Cauca and 15 have been killed in Colombia's third city, Cali, with its university hospital also partially collapsing.

Elsewhere, 12 people have died in the department of Choco, where the epicentre was located at a depth of 60 miles, said the local governor.

The quake was also felt in Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, which has recently suffered its own earthquake tragedy in June after it was hit twice in quick succession, killing more than 6,000.

What the authorities have said

President Abelardo de la Espriella said "You are not alone. You have a President who cares deeply for his people and who will do everything necessary to protect you, support you, and move forward together in rebuilding the affected regions."

The president has moved to establish an emergency centre close to the epicentre to support those impacted.

Choco governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi said on X: "We have just experienced a major earthquake in the department of Choco. We are concerned about aftershocks.

"Although the epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar, there are injuries and significant damage to buildings in the capital, Quibdo.

"We are already carrying out a damage assessment and will issue the first official report shortly."

Juan Diego Patino, the governor of the neighbouring Risaralda province, told Blu Radio there was 'serious damage to some buildings' in Pereira.

"What has just occurred is very severe. The images are truly shocking, with people injured and building facades collapsed," he added.

Colombia's most deadly earthquake struck in 1868 and killed 70,000 people.

The US Department of State has pledged £11.5m in funding to help provide emergency shelter and supplies to the stricken nation.

It said: "We are united in prayer with the Colombian people and stand ready to support President Abelardo De La Espriella and his government as they assess the needs on the ground."

The European Commission and the like of France, Spain, Venezuela, Brazil, Ukraine, Israel and El Salvador have all offered assistance as well.