Amman, Aug. 10 (Petra) -- A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 69 people, according to the latest figures released by authorities.

According to Agence France-Presse, 40 people were killed in the coffee-growing region of Risaralda, 27 in the department of Valle del Cauca, and two others in the city of Manizales.

Geological experts reported that the quake registered a magnitude of 7.4, with its epicenter located at a depth of 100 kilometers.

//Petra// AF