Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake in Ecuador... "At Least 12 Dead"

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near Ecuador's second-largest city on the 18th (local time), killing at least 12 people.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred on the 18th (local time) approximately 80 km south of Guayaquil, a port city in Ecuador.
[Photo by Korea Meteorological Administration]

According to the foreign earthquake information from the Meteorological Agency on the 19th, the earthquake occurred at around 2:12 a.m. Korean time near a point about 80 km south of Guayaquil, a port city in Ecuador. The depth of the earthquake was 66 km. There is no impact on South Korea.

Guillermo Lasso, President of Ecuador, stated on Twitter that "it is estimated that 12 people have died so far," AFP reported.

According to Ecuador's disaster response authorities, one of the deceased was inside a car in Cuenca, the capital of Azuay Province, and was killed when debris from a collapsed house fell on them. In El Oro Province, 11 people died and several others are trapped under debris. In Machala, the provincial capital, a two-story building collapsed, trapping several people who have not yet escaped.

In downtown Guayaquil, several buildings developed cracks and some walls collapsed. Authorities have closed three tunnels used by vehicles, AP reported.

Firefighters are currently engaged in rescue operations, but communication and power outages caused by the earthquake are making rescue efforts difficult, according to reports.

Ecuadorian authorities have stated that there is no possibility of a tsunami.

AP reported that Guayaquil and Cuenca airports are operating normally.