Americans considering a trip to Colombia are facing renewed safety concerns after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the western part of the country, compounding existing worries about violent crime in the popular destination. Travel expert Angel Castellanos has urged US tourists to be "aware and prepared" before travelling, as authorities and safety commentators highlight the scale of the disaster and its potential impact on infrastructure and services relied upon by visitors.

The earthquake struck on 10 August and has killed at least 289 people, with more than 26,000 homes reported destroyed or damaged. The disaster adds a fresh layer of risk to a country already flagged for concerns around violent crime, prompting fresh advice for Americans weighing whether to travel there in the near term.