An earthquake of magnitude 6 shook this Friday the province of Esmeraldas, in northwestern Ecuador, leaving so far at least 20 people injured and 60 homes seriously affected, in addition to damage to public infrastructure and essential services, informed the National Secretariat of Risk Management (SNGR).
According to official reports, most of the victims have head injuries, bruises and contusions resulting from falling objects and partial collapse of houses. Health authorities have deployed emergency teams to provide immediate care in local hospitals.
Ecuador quake confirmed after earthquake
The earthquake was registered at 06:44 local time (11:44 GMT) with an epicenter 9.3 kilometers from the capital Esmeraldas, at a depth of 30 kilometers, according to data from the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador.
The intensity of the movement was felt “very strongly” in Esmeraldas and “strongly” in neighboring municipalities such as Eloy Alfaro, Atacames, Muisne, Quinindé, Rioverde and San Lorenzo.
Property damage
The shock caused severe damage to public infrastructure. Among the buildings affected were:
The ECU 911 emergency center, with fallen masonry.
Universidad Técnica Luis Vargas Torres, which has cracks in its structure.
The military building in Esmeraldas, where part of the facade collapsed.
Facilities of the Provincial Prefecture, also with structural damage.
In addition, damage was reported to electric poles, an overpass and at least 40 meters of secondary roads in rural sectors such as Libertad and El Tigre.
Although 80 % of the electricity and telecommunications supply was initially interrupted, authorities report that service is being progressively restored.
Government response
From abroad, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa – who is on an official tour of several countries – ordered the immediate deployment of all ministers to the province of Esmeraldas to coordinate relief actions.
Dispuso la instalación de albergues, la entrega de kits humanitarios y toda la asistencia que nuestra gente necesita
Daniel Noboa
Rescue teams, doctors and Civil Protection personnel are working in the affected area to assess damages, provide assistance and prevent further risks of possible aftershocks.
Impact on oil infrastructure
As a precautionary measure, Petroecuador temporarily suspended operations at the Esmeraldas refinery, the largest in the country, as well as in the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System (SOTE), which transports crude from the Amazon to the coast.
Although preliminary inspections did not detect any serious damage to the pipelines -recalling the recent oil spill caused by landslides in February-, a precautionary alert is being maintained to avoid major damage to the environment and energy supply.
Context: a zone of high seismic vulnerability
Buzzy
Esmeraldas is one of the provinces most exposed to seismic events in Ecuador. In 2016, it suffered severely from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that left more than 670 dead and millions in losses.
For this reason, the authorities recommend the population to maintain safety protocols, to have emergency backpacks and to heed official indications in the event of possible aftershocks.
So far, no tsunami warning has been issued.
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