A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador’s Esmeraldas, injuring 20 and damaging many buildings. The tremor caused power outages and prompted emergency responses, with President Noboa coordinating aid efforts. No tsunami risk was declared, but the incident underscores Ecuador’s seismic vulnerability.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday, injuring at least 20 people and causing extensive damage to dozens of buildings. The earthquake struck at around 7:00 am local time, with an epicenter just off the coast at a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles). The tremors were felt even as far as Quito, the capital, complicating rescue efforts as local emergency response teams mobilized.
Witnesses reported major destruction in Esmeraldas, where an AFP reporter saw walls collapsed and debris littering the streets. People gathered to assess the damage to their homes, with authorities confirming that 60 residences and a health center were impacted and two roads plus a bridge were also affected. Former presidential candidate Yaku Perez described the quake: “It was very strong… it felt like an eternity, but I guess it was less than a minute.”
The power outage left many residents in the dark, and the national oil company Petroecuador announced it had suspended operations at the Esmeraldas refinery, which typically processes around 111,000 barrels of oil daily. The associated Transecuadorian Pipeline System, which has a capacity of 360,000 barrels, was also temporarily shut down due to safety concerns.
In response to the disaster, President Daniel Noboa, recently re-elected, indicated he will send ministers to coordinate emergency shelters and humanitarian aid for affected families. Noboa conveyed solidarity via social media, assuring citizens, “The government is with you, and that’s how it will be going forward.”
Despite the severity of the earthquake, Ecuador’s authorities confirmed that there was no tsunami risk. According to the Geophysical Institute, this region sits on a major fault line between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, which is known for generating significant earthquakes. As a result, the tremor was felt across 10 provinces in the nation. Additionally, there were no reports of injuries in neighboring Colombia, despite proximity to the quake’s epicenter. This event comes just a week after Ecuador commemorated the anniversary of a devastating 2016 quake, which resulted in significant loss of life and injury, underscoring the region’s ongoing vulnerability to seismic activity.
In summary, the recent earthquake in Esmeraldas highlights the vulnerability of Ecuador’s coastal regions to seismic activity. With injuries reported and significant property damage, authorities are currently mobilizing resources for recovery operations. President Noboa’s swift response emphasizes the need for government support in times of crisis, particularly in a nation still mourning past earthquakes. As communities begin to recover, ongoing monitoring of tectonic activity remains crucial.
Original Source: 24newshd.tv
