Search and rescue efforts are underway after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, the largest to hit the country in years, killing at least 132 people and leaving more than 570 others injured.
According to the preliminary report, 32 cities across the country have been seriously affected, while five departmental capitals -- Pereira, Cali, Quibdo, Manizales and Armenia -- remain under red alert.
Pereira reported 60 deaths, followed by Cali with 15, Quibdo with eight and Manizales with four, the report said.
A total of 86 buildings collapsed, while operations at seven airports are suspended due to quake-related damage.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said earlier that the government had declared a state of national disaster to respond to the impact of the earthquake.
According to the Colombian Geological Service, the quake struck at 07:34 local time on Monday. Its epicenter was near San Jose del Palmar, in the department of Choco, at a depth of 96 km.
Rescue underway after magnitude 7.5 quake jolts western Colombia
Rescue underway after magnitude 7.5 quake jolts western Colombia
At least seven vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to the latest tracking data from the maritime information platform MarineTraffic cited by CNN, while separate incidents of violence were reported in surrounding Middle East waters the same day.
Also, on Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman disabled the steering capability of a Panama-flagged cargo vessel sailing toward Iran. CENTCOM said the ship has violated the U.S. blockade against Iran and that a U.S. navy helicopter fired two missiles at the vessel. The command said the ship has stopped sailing toward Iran and reiterated that U.S. forces are continuing to enforce a blockade on Iran.
In a separate alert, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Tuesday reported an incident involving a container ship in the Gulf of Oman. UKMTO said the vessel came under attack, with the crew issuing an emergency call for assistance and preparing to abandon ship. A message broadcast over a public maritime radio channel said there were 17 people on board and placed the incident near the eastern edge of the Gulf of Oman.
On the same day, UKMTO also issued another incident report, saying a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea was hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in casualties.
Yemen's Houthis said Tuesday that it attacked a Saudi military equipment transport ship in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Yemen's coast guard, however, said the target was a commercial ship and that the attack killed six people and injured 10.
At least 7 vessels transit Strait of Hormuz Tuesday: U.S. media
