BOGOTA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Colombia declared a state of national disaster on Monday after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country's west earlier in the day and killed more than 70 people nationwide.
The Colombian association of capital cities, or Asocapitales, said on social media that President Abelardo de la Espriella chaired a special disaster management committee meeting and announced the decision.
The quake has killed more than 70 people across the country, including 29 in departmental capital cities, Asocapitales said.
The association said it is maintaining close contact with the capitals of affected departments and communicating with local mayors and their teams to follow the latest developments, assess damage and identify the most urgent relief needs.
