On April 25th, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the coast of Ecuador, causing at least 20 people to be injured. The city of Esmeraldas experienced damages to buildings, with some petroleum infrastructure temporarily shutting down and power outages reported in some areas.
According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake occurred at 6:45 am local time on Friday, with the epicenter located near the Pacific coast of Esmeraldas in the northwest. The earthquake originated at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). Initially, tsunami warnings were issued along the Pacific coast by Ecuadorian authorities but were later lifted.
Data from the United States Geological Survey indicated a depth of 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) for the earthquake.
The Ecuadorian government reported that 20 people were injured, and approximately 135 households were affected. Multiple public and private buildings suffered damages, with ongoing power outages in some areas.
President Daniel Noboa announced on social media platform X that the government would establish shelters, provide humanitarian aid packages, and offer all necessary assistance to the people affected by the earthquake.
Information released by Ecuador’s Risk Management Office on platform X stated that at least 10 provinces experienced tremors, with ongoing monitoring and assessment still being conducted by the agency.
Local media displayed images of the coastal city of Esmeraldas, nearest to the epicenter, showcasing damaged exterior walls of some houses. Esmeraldas is located 183 miles (296 kilometers) northwest of the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.
Following the earthquake, Ecuador’s National Petroleum Company announced the temporary suspension of operations at the Esmeraldas refinery and SOTE pipeline as a preventative measure. However, the potential impact on production due to these measures was not detailed.
The Geological Institute of Ecuador estimated the earthquake to be of magnitude 6.0, with reports of a second earthquake occurring minutes later in the province of Guayas, measuring 4.1 magnitude.
【This article contains references from Reuters’ coverage.】