A powerful earthquake has struck western Colombia, with reports of collapsed and severely damaged buildings in major cities including Cali and Pereira.

The US and Colombian geological surveys reported that a 7.4 magnitude earthquake had struck at 7.34 am local time (13.34 BST) on Monday, with its epicentre in the western department of Chocó. It was also felt in neighbouring Venezuela.

Western Colombia appears to have suffered the most serious damage, with social media videos showing citizens searching for victims in rubble in Cali and a woman sprinting from a building as it collapsed in Manizales, the capital of Caldas department.

The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, said people had been injured and buildings severely damaged in the department’s capital, Quibdó.

Colombia’s new president, Abelardo De La Espriella, announced he would travel to Pereira, the capital of Risaralda department, to lead the government response. “You are not alone. The state is present and acting,” De la Espriella, who took office on Friday, wrote on X.

The earthquake comes just weeks after Venezuela was struck by twin earthquakes that devastated the country’s northern coast, killing more than 6,000 people.

More details soon …