Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency, saying the government would commit all necessary resources to helping victims and rebuilding affected areas, RT reported.
The magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck on Monday, with its epicenter in western Colombia, affecting the departments of Valle del Cauca, Caldas, Choco, and Risaralda.
Harrowing footage shows people fleeing shaking and collapsing buildings. A disturbing video filmed in Cali appears to show four people being crushed by a falling balcony as they fled a clinic.
Other videos show parts of buildings breaking away during the tremors.
Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder imposed a curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM to maintain order, saying that police and military personnel would patrol the city and help search for survivors.
The US State Department pledged $15.5 million in emergency aid to Colombia for “shelter, food, protection, and earthquake assessments.”
Twin earthquakes struck neighboring Venezuela in June, killing more than 6,300 people.