Magnitude 6.8 earthquake leaves at least 16 dead, damages one of Ecuador's biggest cities

March 19, 2023 at 03:20

CNN —At least 16 people died after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon, according to government officials.
The earthquake struck near the southern town of Baláo and was more than 65 km (nearly 41 miles) deep, according to the United States Geological Survey.
An estimated 381 people were injured in the quake, the General Secretariat of Communication of the Presidency of Ecuador tweeted on their official account.
In the province of El Oro, at least 11 people died.
At least one other death was reported in the province of Azuay, according to the communications department for Ecuador’s president.
Residents look at a building that collapsed after an earthquake struck Machala, Ecuador, on March 18, 2023.
Jhonny Crespo/APPeople who were injured were being treated at hospitals, the Presidency added, but did not provide further details.
Relatives of a CNN producer in the western port city of Guayaquil said they felt “very strong” tremors.
View of a flood at the Puerto Bolivar dock after the earthquake.
Gleen Suarez/AFP/Getty ImagesCNN afiliate Ecuavisa reported structural damage to buildings in Cuenca, one of the country’s biggest cities.
There is no tsunami warning in effect for the area, according to the US National Weather Service.
The airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca remained open and operational, the country’s statement said.
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