CNN
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At least 12 folks died after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon, in accordance with authorities officers.
The earthquake struck close to the southern city of Baláo and was greater than 65 km (practically 41 miles) deep, in accordance with the United States Geological Survey.
Eleven folks died within the province of El Oro and one particular person died within the province of Azuay, in accordance with the communications division for Ecuador’s president mentioned. In an earlier assertion, authorities mentioned the particular person in Azuay was killed when a wall collapsed onto a automotive and that at least three of the victims in El Oro died when a safety digicam tower got here down.
People who have been injured have been being handled at hospitals, the Presidency added, however didn’t present additional particulars.
The USGS gave the tremor an “orange alert,” saying “significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.”
“Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response,” the USGS added. It additionally estimated harm and financial losses have been potential.
Relatives of a CNN producer in the western port metropolis of Guayaquil mentioned they felt “very strong” 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 checklist of world heritage websites.
There isn’t any tsunami warning in impact for the realm, in accordance with the US National Weather Service.
The airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca remained open and operational, the nation’s assertion mentioned.