A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Esmeraldas, Ecuador, injuring over 20 people and displacing 540 residents on Friday morning. Significant structural damage was reported, alongside power outages. Authorities are mobilizing resources and humanitarian aid in response.
On Friday morning, a significant earthquake registering 6.8 in magnitude struck the Esmeraldas province of northwestern Ecuador. According to government sources, at least 20 individuals were reported injured following the tremor that occurred at approximately 6:44 am local time. The epicenter of the quake was determined to be 14.3 miles deep, as stated by the European Mediterranean Seismological Center.
Just 25 minutes post the initial quake, a 3.8 aftershock was recorded, again in the vicinity of Esmeraldas, specifically 33.7 miles from San Lorenzo. Thankfully, the Navy’s Oceanographic Institute confirmed there was no tsunami risk, but damage was already apparent. Numerous homes and businesses sustained significant destruction, with rapid images of the aftermath flooding social media platforms.
The disaster led to the displacement of at least 540 residents across four cantons within Esmeraldas. Additionally, widespread power outages were reported by the National Electricity Corporation across numerous neighborhoods. The corporation assured the public that their technicians were working diligently to restore medium-voltage electricity.
In response to the disaster, Petroecuador—the state oil company—announced the suspension of activities at the Esmeraldas refinery and its associated SOTE pipeline. This was a precautionary action taken without specifying the potential implications for production levels. Their statement included an assurance regarding the structural integrity of the pipeline network.
President Daniel Noboa used an X post to reassure citizens that local ministers were organizing shelters and distributing humanitarian aid kits, stating they would assist citizens in any way necessary. Mónica Segovia, the director of the Geophysical Institute, explained that the earthquake was due to seismic activity on the Nazca plate, a tectonic plate located off the eastern Pacific coast of South America.
She elaborated, “At some point, this movement is more abrupt and instantaneous, precisely where seismic waves are produced.” Furthermore, a separate mild quake registering at 4.1 magnitude was noted in Guayas province, located approximately 218 miles south of Esmeraldas, at a depth of around 53.4 miles. Segovia noted the initial confusion among residents about the earthquake’s origin, clarifying, “In fact, they were two different earthquakes.”
Efforts to remove debris and begin recovery are already underway in the area, with authorities striving for rapid restoration of services and safety amid this natural disaster.
In summary, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Esmeraldas on Friday morning, resulting in injuries, widespread structural damage, and significant community displacement. Authorities are working diligently to restore services and provide necessary aid to affected residents. With precautions already taken by essential services such as Petroecuador and National Electricity Corporation, the focus remains on recovery and support for displaced individuals.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
