One person died and at least one other was injured when a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Ecuador this Saturday, with tremors felt as far north as Peru and causing significant property damage in multiple regions.
Geophysicists from the National Polytechnic School Geophysics Institute reported the quake occurred at 12.11 local time (17.12 GMT) at coordinates 2.78 degrees south and 79.93 degrees west.
The epicenter lay at a depth of 44 kilometers, about 29.12 kilometers from Balao in the Guayas province, in southwestern Ecuador.
Shortly afterward, a second tremor measuring magnitude 4.8 was recorded at a depth of 24 kilometers, according to the institute.
The Risk Management Secretariat noted reports of counterfeit or fraudulent activity at the cantonal center of Cuenca, where the front of a house collapsed onto a vehicle, resulting in a fatality.
The quake was strongly felt in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, located in the Andean highlands, and residents across the country reported intense shaking from Gold to Loja and Manabí on the coast, as well as Zamora Chinchipe in the Amazon region.
The Naval Institute of Oceanography (Inocar) stated that the earthquake did not meet the criteria to generate a tsunami.
News agency EFE confirmed some rubble fell from old houses in the central area of Guayaquil, a coastal city, though no widespread damage was reported there beyond scattered debris.
In line with the seismic event, Petroecuador, the state oil company, announced that no operational progress had been reported at facilities and that protocols were activated, with operations continuing as normal where applicable.
Risk Secretariat noted there were no reports of airport disruptions at the time.
fire belt
The Pacific Ring of Fire spans the western edge of the Americas and is known for intense seismic activity, driven by major subduction zones where tectonic plates interact. This belt includes a broad arc of nations, extending from Ecuador south to Chile and Argentina, and northward toward Central and North America, including the United States and Canada in the broader context of associated tectonic movements.
On April 16, Ecuador marks the seventh anniversary of one of its most devastating earthquakes in recent memory, a magnitude 7.8 event from 2016. The disaster affected the Emerald Province near the Colombian border and nearby Manabí on the coast, yet its impacts were felt in many regions, including Quito in Pichincha, and prompted widespread humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. The anniversary remains a reminder of the vulnerability and resilience of coastal and Andean communities alike.
As authorities review the day’s events, officials emphasize continued monitoring of seismic activity and adherence to safety protocols. Local responders and residents are urged to stay informed through official channels and to prepare for aftershocks, which are common following substantial earthquakes in this part of the world.
Attributions: National Polytechnic School Geophysics Institute; Inocar; EFE; Petroecuador; Risk Secretariat. These agencies provide ongoing reports and situational updates to help communities respond effectively to seismic events and associated hazards.