A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon. Dozens were injured while at least 16 people lost their lives, according to authorities. The US National Weather Service reports that there is no tsunami alert after the earthquake.
Eleven individuals lost their lives in the province of El Oro. The president of Ecuador's communications department stated that at least one death had been reported in the province of Azuay. Authorities claimed that the person in Azuay died when a wall fell on top of a vehicle, and that at least three of the victims in El Oro died when a security camera tower collapsed.
According to a tweet from the General Secretariat of Communication of the Ecuadorian Presidency's official account, the earthquake injured an estimated 381 persons. The Presidency noted that injured people were receiving medical care in hospitals, but it made no other specific comment.
Structural damage to buildings were reported in Cuenca, one of the largest towns in the nation and one of the world heritage places recognized by the UN while the Guayaquil and Cuenca airports were accessible and operational, according to the country's statement.
The earthquake was over 65 km (nearly 41 miles) deep and it hit near the southern town of Baláo, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor was given an "orange alert" while according to the USGS, previous events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response.
Sources: cnn.com, abc7news.com
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