CNN
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At the least 4 individuals died after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon, the nation’s authorities mentioned in a press release.
The earthquake struck close to the southern city of Baláo and was greater than 65 km (almost 41 miles) deep, based on the United States Geological Survey.
One individual died within the metropolis of Cuenca, within the province of Azuay, when a wall collapsed onto their automobile, and one other three individuals died in Jambelí Island, within the province of El Oro, when a safety digicam tower got here down, authorities mentioned.
The USGS gave the tremor an “orange alert,” saying “important casualties are seemingly and the catastrophe is probably widespread.”
“Previous occasions with this alert degree have required a regional or nationwide degree response,” the USGS added. It additionally estimated harm and financial losses have been attainable.
Family members of a CNN producer in the western port metropolis of Guayaquil mentioned they felt “very sturdy” tremors.
CNN afiliate Ecuavisa reported structural harm to buildings in Cuenca, one of many nation’s greatest cities. The historic metropolis is within the UN listing of world heritage websites.
There is no such thing as a tsunami warning in impact for the realm, based on the US Nationwide Climate Service.
The airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca remained open and operational, the nation’s assertion mentioned.