Earthquake in Ecuador induces population alarm

U.S. Geological Survey reported an earthquake on Saturday with a magnitude of about 6.8, the quake centre was about 80 kilometres south of Ecuador’s second-largest city, Guayaquil.

According to the Geophysics Institute of Ecuador, the earthquake was followed by two weaker aftershocks in the following hour, affecting southern Ecuador and northern Peru, the quake caused the death of 14 in Ecuador and one in Peru, at least.

Injuries are estimated to be 126 at least, as it also reported that several people remain caught under rubble till the moment in El Oro. The government of Ecuador mentioned far-reaching damage influencing schools and health-care centres.

Ecuador’s emergency response agency stated that the National Police is working on assessing damage. Firefighters are working on rescue missions, the agency added, although their efforts are hindered by interrupted electricity and telephone services, resulting from downed lines.

Office of Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso stated that “all the ministries are activated and have sufficient economic resources to immediately repair earthquake damage.”

Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola explained the only reported victim till the moment is a 4-year-old girl. She died from a head trauma caused by the collapse of her home in the Tumbes region, bordering Ecuador.

A report from Ecuador’s Adverse Events Monitoring Directorate regarded a tsunami threat as unlikely.