A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador’s coastal city of Esmeraldas on Friday morning, injuring at least 20 people and causing significant destruction to buildings, homes, and infrastructure. The earthquake struck at 6:44 local time (9:44 GMT) at a depth of 30km (18.64 miles), shaking the region and resulting in widespread power outages.
Local authorities report that approximately 80% of homes in the area were left without electricity, and public buildings were damaged. The quake also caused temporary shutdowns of some oil infrastructure, including the Esmeraldas refinery operated by Petroecuador.
President Daniel Noboa quickly mobilized government ministers to the affected province, prioritizing the installation of emergency shelters and distribution of humanitarian aid kits. “The government is with you, and that’s how we will move forward,” Noboa shared in a social media post.
Residents like Andres Mafare, 36, described their fear and panic during the event. Mafare, who was walking to the port when the quake struck, rushed home to find his house destroyed. “I ran like crazy, and when I got here saw that my house had been destroyed,” he recounted.
Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as the country responds to the devastation, with authorities working to assess the full scope of the damage and provide assistance to those affected.
Source: Swifteradio.com
