6.8 magnitude earthquake kills at least 14 in Ecuador

International Desk: A strong earthquake has hit the South American country of Ecuador. Its magnitude was 6.8 on the Richter scale. At least 14 people were killed. On the other hand, the earthquake hit Peru, another South American country. Local time Saturday (March 18) a strong earthquake hit the coastal region of Ecuador and the northern part of Peru. Meanwhile, several houses, schools and medical centers have suffered structural damage due to the earthquake. Reuters reported this information in a report on Sunday (March 19). According to the report, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck the coastal region of Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake struck at a depth of 66.4 km (41.3 mi) at a depth of 66.4 km (41.3 mi) above the surface, about 10 km from the town of Balao in Guayas province. However, the authorities said that there was no danger of a tsunami due to the earthquake. The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, said in a tweet, "We are in the area to check the damage caused by the earthquake this morning. I want to confirm, I am with you and express my solidarity and commitment to the victims.'The communication agency of Ecuador's presidency said that 14 people were killed and more than 380 others were injured in the earthquake. Most of the casualties are from El Oro province, the agency said. At least 44 houses were destroyed and another 90 were damaged due to the earthquake. Besides, about 50 educational buildings and more than 30 health centers were also damaged. Several roads were closed due to landslides caused by the earthquake. In addition, the Santa Rosa airport, although slightly damaged, remains operational.

Ecuador's Secretariat of Risk Management said in a statement earlier that one person died after a wall collapsed on a car in Ajuay province. Other provinces suffered structural damage. In addition, state-run oil company Petroecuador evacuated several facilities and suspended operations as a precaution after the quake. But the company did not report any damage. Ernesto Alvarado, a resident of Isla Puna, near the epicenter, told Reuters some houses had collapsed. In his words, 'we all ran into the street... we were so scared.' Ecuador's Institute of Geophysics reported two weak aftershocks in the hours following the initial earthquake. Authorities in Peru, on the other hand, said the earthquake was felt in the northern part of the country, but there were no immediate reports of damage to people or structures.

 

 

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