Pereira, Colombia. Colombian volunteers and rescuers sifted through rubble with their bare hands and buckets Monday, searching for survivors after a massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed at least 111 people.

The quake struck several cities across Colombia's picturesque coffee region and Pacific coast shortly after 7:30 a.m. (1230 GMT), sending panicked residents into the streets and damaging at least 1,500 buildings.

"People ran out naked, people jumped from the second floor of their homes," Wilmer Cuesta, a law student in Quibdo, told AFP, recounting the violent shaking.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, just three days after being sworn into office, declared a state of emergency and vowed a concerted rescue effort.

In Cali, volunteers quickly went to work with picks, basic tools and their bare hands to try to find survivors. Andres Felipe Mejia was among those who joined a makeshift rescue crew.

"We are trying to get everyone out alive," he told AFP. "One of the rescuers asked anyone trapped to whistle, and someone whistled back."

"They pulled out a man and a baby, but the wife is still in there," he said near a pancaked multistory building.

Rescuers formed human chains to remove bricks and masonry, stopping every few minutes to listen for signs of life from those trapped below.

"A lot of people have come, with supplies, with food, helping the firefighters, helping the people," he said.

There were scenes of destruction in several cities, with furniture and fabrics sandwiched between concrete, walls and floors tossed at irregular angles, while cables were strewn across roads.

The devastation came less than two months after powerful twin earthquakes rattled neighboring Venezuela, killing more than 6,300 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.

Hospitals in five Colombian cities were placed on red alert Monday, and a nighttime curfew was declared in Cali, according to local authorities.

At least six local airports suspended operations, the civil aeronautics agency said.

Colombian pop megastar Shakira led calls for unity.

"All my strength and love to my homeland. Let's hold each other tight," she said.

Authorities warned the death toll could rise as rescuers searched collapsed buildings across several cities.

In Manizales, an AFP journalist saw many damaged buildings, including the crumpled tower of the city's beloved neo-Gothic cathedral.

People Prayed
Dentist Julian Pena was at home in Quibdo when he felt "very, very strong" shaking.

"People were praying in the street. It was overwhelming," he told AFP. "I ran outside carrying nothing and found hundreds of people there."

"There are many buildings with gaps, with cracks. There are others that have completely collapsed."

The quake was felt across Colombia, including the capital Bogota, where crowds rushed into the streets in their pajamas.

At a depth of 110 kilometers (68 miles), the quake was also felt in neighboring Ecuador and Panama.

Experts at the US Geological Survey said the quake was likely caused by movement along a deep fault within the Nazca tectonic plate.

All upcoming professional football matches were postponed.

Messages of support came in from countries across the region and around the world.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was "closely monitoring" the situation and "stands ready to support the people of Colombia."

The US later announced $15.5 million in emergency relief.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had mobilized Copernicus, a satellite service, to help with rescue operations.

Israel, Mexico, Ecuador and France also offered assistance.

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