PEOPLE RUN FOR THEIR LIVES FROM SHAKING BUILDINGS AFTER EARTHQUAKE HITS COLOMBIA. (PHOTO).

People run for their lives from shaking buildings after earthquake hits Colombia

A strong earthquake has caused buildings to collapse after striking Colombia.

Dramatic footage shows people running for their lives as a building collapses around them.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck close to the El Cairo region, according to the US Geological Service.

It hit the Choco province on the country’s Pacific coast, with the epicentre located at a depth of 79km near San Jose del Palmar.

People were injured and buildings badly damaged in the Choco provincial capital, Quibdo, according to the governor, Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi.

Several people are believed to have been trapped underneath huge concrete blocks in Quibdo, the worst affected area.

Governor Cordoba-Curi wrote on X: "We have just experienced a severe seismic event in the department of Chocó. We are concerned about aftershocks.

"Although the epicenter was in San José del Palmar, in the capital Quibdó there are injuries and severe damage to buildings. We are already conducting the damage assessment to issue the first official report."

According to Cali mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings have collapsed with people trapped inside.

In Bogota, families getting ready for work and school fled their homes in the middle of breakfast.

Damage to buildings was reported in Manizales, and evacuations in the coastal city of Medellin.

The famous Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary in Manizales is said to have been damaged and may be at risk of collapse.

Tremours were also felt across the border in Ecuador’s capital Quito.

It comes less than two months after the deadly earthquake’s devastated the already embattled Venezuela on June 24.

Two eartquakes flattened buildings in the capital Caracas and in the state of La Guaira, where nearly all buildings were destroyed.

People were trapped under ruble, some for days as rescuers battled to get to them.

As of August, more than 6,100 people have been confirmed dead from the quakes, while tens of thousands are still missing and people remain in hospital.