Ecuador Earthquake Kills At Least Four
A magnitude 6.7 tremor shakes the coastal Guayas region, damaging homes and buildings. The tremor, centered about 80km south of Guayaquil, was felt by more than 3 million people. The earthquake caused four deaths, and several others were trapped under rubble.
Emergency Response Agency Responds
The Risk Management Secretariat, Ecuador’s emergency response agency, reported that one person died in the Andean community of Cuenca. Three people died, and many others were trapped under rubble in the coastal state of El Oro. The National Police assessed the damage, while firefighters worked to rescue people. However, downed lines interrupted telephone and electricity services, making their work difficult.
Damage Assessment and Closures
In Guayaquil, authorities reported cracks in houses and other buildings, and several walls collapsed. The closure of three road tunnels was ordered.
Social Media Responses
Videos posted on social media showed people gathering on the streets of Guayaquil, and nearby communities. People reported falling objects inside their homes. One video showed the presenters of a television show fleeing their studio after initially trying to ignore the quake.
Earthquake Felt in Peru
The earthquake was felt in Peru, from the northern border with Ecuador to the central Pacific coast. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported.
Ecuador is particularly prone to earthquakes. In 2016, a quake centered farther north on the Pacific Coast in a more sparsely populated area of the country killed over 600 people. The Adverse Events Monitoring Directorate has, however, ruled out any tsunami threat from this latest earthquake.
