Bogota, Aug 10 (V7N)- The death toll from a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia has risen to 111, with 87 others injured, according to the country's geological survey agency. It was the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in a decade.

The earthquake caused buildings to collapse in several cities, trapping people under the rubble. Residents in several areas, including the capital Bogota, fled their homes in panic and took to the streets.

Newly elected Colombian President Abelardo de la Esperanza declared a state of emergency to facilitate the rapid allocation of funds for relief and recovery efforts. He said he would soon visit the affected areas.

"We will not leave the people alone," he said, adding that the victims were in their hearts and that the government would stand by them with full determination.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Colombian Geological Survey, the earthquake originated near the municipality of San José del Palmar in the Choco region, about 400 kilometers west of Bogota.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers. The US Tsunami Warning System did not issue a tsunami warning. Two aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 4.8 magnitude were also recorded.

The earthquake disrupted air travel, with flights suspended at airports in Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura and Pereira. Colombia's football governing body also postponed upcoming matches.

Local media footage from Pereira showed part of an airport roof collapsing as passengers sought shelter. People were also seen moving through debris following the quake.

The Pacific coastal region, particularly Choco, is among Colombia's poorest areas. Much of the region is rural, and several communities can only be reached by boat or aircraft. Authorities therefore face significant challenges in assessing the full extent of the damage and casualties.

Al Jazeera correspondent Alessandro Rampietti, reporting from Bogota, said the death toll could rise further as rescue teams continue searching for survivors, particularly in the three worst-affected cities.

In Bogota, car and building alarms sounded during the earthquake, prompting residents to rush outdoors. However, Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said there were no reports of casualties in the capital. Some buildings developed cracks, but no serious structural damage was reported.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was closely monitoring the situation and was ready to provide assistance to the Colombian people.

Colombia experiences thousands of small earthquakes every month, although earthquakes measuring 6.0 or higher are relatively uncommon. In 1999, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck several cities in the country's coffee region, killing more than 1,000 people.

Earlier in late June, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck neighboring Venezuela, killing more than 6,000 people and destroying hundreds of buildings.

END/SMA/AJ