The US Geological Survey reported a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the coastal region of Guayas, with the epicenter about 80 kilometers south of Guayaquil. More than 3 million people live in the agglomeration. European seismologists first estimated the strength of the tremors at 6.9 degrees.
According to the AP one person died in the Andean community of Cuenca. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle trapped under the rubble of the house.
Videos shared on social media show people gathered in the streets of Guayaquil and surrounding communities. People reported objects falling into their homes.
6.9 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador
There are the wounded and the dead. pic.twitter.com/bSAv756Ylk
β Emir Timur πΉπ·πΈπ¦πΏπΈπΊπΏπΈπ°π¬πΈπΉπ²πΈπ°πΏ (@_timurlu) March 18, 2023
In Guayaquil, about 270 kilometers southwest of the capital Quito, authorities reported cracks in buildings and houses, as well as some collapsed walls. Three car tunnels were ordered closed. A jetty has sunk in the town of Machala. The earthquake was also felt in northern Peru.
A series of world earthquakes? According to seismologists, the events are unrelated
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