The hardest-hit areas include Risaralda, Valle del Cauca and Chocó, with people trapped in collapsed homes and buildings.

On Monday, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a “national disaster” as a result of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that has left at least 71 people dead so far.

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The Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales) said the highest number of deaths was recorded in the department of Risaralda (40), followed by 27 deaths in Valle del Cauca and four in Chocó.

Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Quibdó and Armenia have the most critical situations, with people killed, injured and trapped in collapsed homes and buildings.

The cities have also reported damage to hospital infrastructure, airports, public utilities and transportation systems.

7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia, Shakes Ecuador, People Flee Buildings After Powerful Shaking. pic.twitter.com/ah3eBeGjgC

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Cauca Gov. Dilian Toro said some areas of Cali’s University Hospital collapsed, leaving people trapped, prompting firefighters and the Army to carry out rescue and evacuation efforts.

“We have destruction of homes and buildings in all the municipalities of Valle del Cauca,” Toro said, describing the situation in the department as “serious” and noting that nearly 80% of the buildings in the municipality of El Cairo were destroyed.

The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time Monday and was centered in the town of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, in the Pacific region, at a depth of 82 kilometers, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC).

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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