At least 14 dead and more than 400 injured in Ecuador earthquake

The number of people injured in the earthquake rose to 446 magnitude 6.5 on the Richter scale, which was recorded in the province this Saturday Guayason the coast of the city Ecuadorand it left at least 14 dead.

According to the Ecuadorian government, twelve people died in the province of El Oro, on the border with Peru, and another two in Azuay, also located in the south of the country.

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works predicted this this Sunday in the next few hours they will declare a state of emergency in the province of Azuaysince the earthquake caused thirteen landslides on the Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme road and nine on the Cuenca-Girón-Pasaje road, according to Europa Press.

Account for official reports in Ecuador 180 homes were hit and 84 were destroyedamong other material damages.

After the 6.5 earthquake that occurred on Saturday at noon, which it was felt in 13 of the country’s 24 provincesThey have registered four more magnitude 4.8, and 3.7 and two magnitude 3.5with the epicenter in the extreme northeast of the island of Puná u Gulf of Guayaquil (southwest).

Ecuador is located in the Pacific Belt or Ring of Fire, which concentrates some of the most important subduction zones (collapse of tectonic plates) in the world and is the scene of strong seismic activity.

In addition to Ecuador, the Horseshoe Belt includes other countries such as Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada.

On April 16, Ecuador will experience the seventh anniversary of one of the most destructive earthquakes in recent history, with a magnitude of 7.8. This phenomenon, which occurred on April 16, 2016, left more than 670 dead, thousands affected and millions in material losses.

#Prepared for Earthquakes | During an earthquake, if you are on the street, stay away from poles, high voltage cables, trees and buildings.#TogetherPrevented pic.twitter.com/mmUDboYZiH

– Ecuadorian Risks (@Riesgos_Ec) March 18, 2023

Sangay volcano eruption

Ecuador’s emergency service, ecu 911, from the Macas region reported this Sunday that the Sangay volcano spewed pyroclastic material, adding to the Cotopaxi volcano, which has been active for weeks.

Sangay activity was recorded on the night from Saturday to Sunday, it can be seen in the video published by ecu 911 on social networks in which you can see the volcano ejecting a large amount of lava several meters high.

The Geophysical Institute of Ecuador warned about this the intensity level of the volcano on the surface is high and the same happens in the inner part with high activity.

In addition, the Institute reported increasing activity of the Cotopaxi volcano from nine in the morning on Sunday, with the observation of a column of ash that reaches a height of 1 kilometer above the crater.

The column of ash goes towards the east and it is observed that the cloud could generate ash fall in cities near the volcano. The authorities recommend taking appropriate measures and providing information through official channels.