New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- At least 20 people were killed and dozens of buildings collapsed in western Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the country on Monday (August 10), trapping residents under debris and forcing evacuations in several cities, including the capital Bogota.

The death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake rose to at least 20, authorities said.

In Pereira, 18 people were killed and others were reportedly trapped inside collapsed buildings, Mayor Mauricio Salazar told Caracol Radio. Two more deaths were reported in Manizales by Mayor Jorge Eduardo Rojas.

Emergency teams continued assessing damage and searching affected buildings for survivors.

The earthquake caused serious structural damage in several cities acro...