A powerful car bomb has exploded in Colombia, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 50 others. 

Police say the blast went off early Sunday in the city of Villavicencio, which is located about 75 kilometers southeast of Bogota. 

Authorities say the bombing occurred in a popular area where hundreds of people were at restaurants and nightclubs. 

Hospitals in the city are overflowing with injured people and health services have made an urgent plea for blood donors. 

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, which damaged several buildings, including a radio station and shops. 

Police suspect the country's main rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was behind the blast. 

The guerrillas have attacked Villavicencio and nearby areas repeatedly in recent months. 

Currently, Villavicencio is playing host to the Davis Cup tennis tournament between Colombia and Uruguay. 

Colombia is the scene of a longstanding conflict pitting leftist rebels against government troops and right-wing paramilitary forces. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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