A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, damaging hundreds of buildings and leaving many trapped under debris while their loved ones and rescue workers searched through rubble.

Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella, who reported the death toll, said at least 87 people were injured and around 1,600 buildings were damaged, including at least 61 that completely collapsed. He declared an emergency to expedite funding for the quake recovery while saying he would visit the disaster zone.

The epicentre was in San Jose Del Palmar, a community of about 4,800 people in the Choco region about 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Bogota, the US Geological Survey said. The quake also was felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, though minimal damage was reported there. The quake ravaged cities across western Colombia, including Pereira, Quibdo, Cali and Manizales.