[Anchor]

A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Colombia in South America. It is the most powerful earthquake to hit Colombia in the 21st century, plunging the region into instant chaos as airport ceilings collapsed and buildings crumbled one after another. The death toll confirmed so far has exceeded 160.

First, let's go to reporter Kim Yongtae.

[Reporter]

A precariously standing four-story building collapses completely.

The peaceful street is instantly engulfed in thick dust and the screams of people.

This building, its windows twisted and shaking, has one of its walls entirely destroyed.

At a medical facility, as exterior walls fall off one by one, a desperate evacuation begins.

Airport passengers take cover under tables as parts of the ceiling collapse everywhere.

[Earthquake Witness: I thought it was the end right there. It was hard to believe.]

At 7:34 AM on Monday, local time, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia in South America.

This is the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia since a 6.2-magnitude quake killed about 1,000 people in 1999.

The epicenter was located in the Choco Department region, about 230 km in a straight line from the capital, Bogota, with damage concentrated in cities such as Pereira and Cali.

So far, 164 people are reported dead and more than 800 injured.

[Quintero / Earthquake Witness: We started heading toward the exit, and the earthquake got stronger and stronger. It was truly terrifying.]

The strong tremor was felt even in the capital city of Bogota.

[Kim Jong-sung / President of the Korean Association in Colombia: It shook quite severely. I have lived here in Bogota for about 30 years, and I think it's the first time I've ever experienced something like that.]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that no casualties among South Korean expatriates have been confirmed so far.

[Kim Jong-sung / President of the Korean Association in Colombia: There are three or four expatriates living in the heavily damaged areas, and we are currently unable to reach them by phone. We and the embassy are continuing to make contact.]

There are about 800 South Korean expatriates in Colombia, most of whom reside in and around the capital of Bogota.

(Video Editing: Jung Sung-hoon, Design: Park Chan-woong, Video Source: '@cristiancrespoj'@)