A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador’s Pacific coast, primarily affecting Esmeraldas. The quake resulted in injuries, structural damage to homes and buildings, and power outages. A tsunami alert was briefly issued but later canceled. President Daniel Noboa confirmed government assistance efforts for affected communities.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolted Ecuador’s Pacific coast early on Friday morning, as reported by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre. The quake struck at around 6:45 a.m. local time, with the epicenter situated near the northwestern city of Esmeraldas, at a depth of 30 kilometers, or approximately 18.6 miles.
The tremor led to injuries reported among at least 20 individuals and inflicted structural damage on at least 60 homes, as well as a health center and a military installation. In the aftermath, residents waded through debris during evacuations, with some working to clear collapsed walls that had obstructed streets.
Local media indicated widespread power outages in Esmeraldas. In response to the earthquake, state energy company Petroecuador announced the temporary suspension of operations at the Esmeraldas refinery, acting as a precaution.
The earthquake’s effects were felt in over ten provinces across the country, encompassing the capital city of Quito, with seismic activity also extending into neighboring Colombia. Initially, Ecuadorian authorities issued a tsunami alert for the Pacific coast, but this was rescinded shortly afterward.
President Daniel Noboa, presently in Rome to attend Pope Francis’s funeral, communicated via social media platform X that the government had organized shelters and begun distributing humanitarian aid kits, stating that they are providing “assistance in everything our people need.” The geographical location of Ecuador, situated over the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, renders it susceptible to frequent seismic activity.
In summary, Ecuador’s Pacific coast was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake early Friday, resulting in multiple injuries and significant structural damage. Emergency response measures are underway as the government mobilizes resources to assist affected residents. Despite initial tsunami fears, the situation appears to be stabilizing, although the region remains vulnerable due to its tectonic setting.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
