The death toll from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on the 10th (local time) has provisionally surpassed 100, according to estimates.

Citing Reuters, President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that the strong earthquake has resulted in 111 deaths and 87 injuries.

A total of 61 buildings were reported collapsed due to the disaster, and President Espriella emphasized that search and rescue operations are currently the top priority.

President Espriella was officially inaugurated on the 7th, and this powerful earthquake occurred just days after the launch of the new administration.

Buildings have collapsed across multiple cities, centered in western Colombia, and with many people reportedly trapped under the rubble, the death toll is expected to rise.

Reuters reported that the casualties from the earthquake so far have been concentrated in Risaralda Department, a high-altitude region dense with coffee plantations.

Juan Diego Patiño, Governor of Risaralda Department, stated in a local TV interview that 42 deaths have been confirmed so far due to the earthquake.

Pereira, the capital of Risaralda Department, is located only about 60 kilometers east of the earthquake's epicenter.

Footage shared on social networking services (SNS) showed a building collapsing in Pereira while nearby citizens hurriedly evacuated.

In Manizales, north of Pereira, three citizens died from the earthquake, according to Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas.

In Manizales, the spire of a Gothic-style cathedral also collapsed due to the impact of the tremor.

In the Pacific port city of Buenaventura, a building collapsed trapping several people, resulting in one death, according to Mayor Ligia del Carmen Córdoba.

Cali, Colombia's third-largest city with a population of about 2 million, also suffered heavy damage, but local authorities have not yet officially announced the death toll, Reuters reported.

Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder stated in an interview with local media that at least 30 buildings have collapsed, with rescue operations underway at 10 of them.

He said he has requested the dispatch of emergency rescue teams from Colombia's capital, Bogota, and the second-largest city, Medellin.

Nubia Córdoba, Governor of Chocó Department, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) right after the earthquake, "We just experienced a strong earthquake in Chocó and are concerned about aftershocks."

She added, "The epicenter was in San José del Palmar, but injuries have occurred and buildings suffered severe damage even in the capital city of Quibdó," and "We are currently investigating the damage situation to release the first official report."

Severe building damage has also been identified in other cities in western Colombia, and as damage assessments continue, the number of casualties could further increase.

Colombian aviation authorities stated that following the earthquake, damage reports were received from six airports in the western region, including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura.

According to preliminary analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in the Pacific coastal Chocó Department at 7:34 a.m. local time (8:34 p.m. KST) on the same day.

Reuters explained that back in 1999, areas such as Pereira and Armenia were struck by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that caused over 1,000 deaths.

Citing an announcement by the Colombian Geological Service, The New York Times (NYT) reported that this earthquake was the most powerful to hit Colombia in the past 10 years.

The Colombian government has declared a national state of emergency to cope with the earthquake damage.

President Espriella stated on X that he has ordered the convening of a joint command center to oversee damage assessments and support for displaced residents, adding, "I will directly lead the measures to support all affected local communities."

This earthquake occurred a little over a month and a half after a series of strong tremors struck northern Venezuela on June 24.

Official death tolls from those strong earthquakes have already exceeded 6,000.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)