TASHKENT, August 11. /Dunyo IA/.  A national state of emergency was declared in Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the western part of the country at 7:34 a.m. local time (5:34 p.m. Tashkent time) on August 10, killing dozens of people, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to “Reuters”, the earthquake toppled buildings, damaged hospitals and infrastructure, and left people trapped under the rubble. It was the strongest earthquake recorded in the country this century.

“The national government has deployed all its capabilities to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever it is needed”, said President Abelardo De La Espriella.

The U.S. Geological Survey said that the magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck at a depth of 107 km. The Colombian Geological Service said it was the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the 21^st century.

Photo by “BBC”