Strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake shakes vicinity of Ecuador's Pacific coast, close to Esmeraldas city's northwest region.

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A powerful earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, has jolted the coastal region of Ecuador, based on data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The tremor occurred around 6:45 AM local time (11:45 GMT) near the Pacific coast of the northwestern city of Esmeraldas, approximately 30km (18.6 miles) below the surface, according to EMSC. The aftershocks were felt in ten provinces of the nation, even reaching as far as the capital, Quito.

Several folks shared video and photographs online, displaying destroyed buildings in the aftermath of the earthquake. Among the damaged structures were as many as 60 homes, a health center, and a military building, the latter of which suffered significant structural damage as its facade partially crumbled, as stated by the authorities.

Ecuador's daily El Comrecio newspaper reported power outages in Esmeraldas. In response to the quake, the state energy company, Petroecuador, temporarily halted operations at the Esmeraldas refinery and SOTE pipeline for safety reasons.

President Daniel Noboa shared a message on social media, pledging humanitarian aid and cooperation to help citizens with "everything our people need." He emphasized, "The government is with you."

At least twenty individuals sustained injuries from the shaking, confirmed the country's emergency service.

Yaku Perez, a former presidential candidate, described the experience to the AFP news agency: "It was quite powerful. It felt like an eternity, though I suppose it was closer to a minute."

Privacy Policy /reCAPTCHA## Previous Earthquakes

Ecuador has a history of seismic activity and has suffered earthquakes of great magnitude.

In 2013, a quake that shook northern Peru and southern Ecuador left at least 14 fatalities and destroyed numerous homes, schools, and healthcare centers.

Three years later, in 2016, an enormous, magnitude 7.8 earthquake - the strongest Ecuador had seen since 1979 - resulted in at least 77 deaths and over 500 injuries.

Ecuador lies along the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," a seismically and volcanically active belt encircling the ocean. The country lies at the border where the Nazca and South American tectonic plates collide - two massive pieces of Earth's crust that grind together, moving at an average speed of approximately 65 millimeters (2.5 inches) per year.

Ecuadoran authorities stated that there was no tsunami risk associated with the latest quake.

The recent earthquake in Ecuador, measured at 6.3 on the Richter scale, has sparked concerns about the safety of buildings, as several damaged structures, including homes, a health center, and a military building, were reported.
The earthquake's effects were felt in ten provinces of Ecuador, reaching as far as the capital, Quito, causing power outages in some areas and prompting the temporary shutdown of the Esmeraldas refinery and SOTE pipeline for safety reasons.
In light of the earthquake, online platforms have been flooded with videos and images from affected regions, shedding light on the extent of the damage and drawing attention to the need for humanitarian aid.
Given Ecuador's history of earthquakes, the latest incident serves as a reminder of the country's vulnerability to seismic activity, as it lies along the Pacific's "Ring of Fire" and at the collision point of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates.

Quake Strikes Near Pacific Coast of Northwestern City Esmeraldas.

Strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake shakes vicinity of Ecuador's Pacific coast, close to Esmeraldas city's northwest region.