30 Injured, 180 Homes Destroyed After Ecuador Earthquake

At least 30 people were injured after a powerful earthquake struck Esmeraldas Province on Ecuador’s northwestern coast, destroying nearly 180 homes, according to the latest figures released by local authorities.

European news network Euronews reported that the earthquake also damaged power and telecommunications networks, along with a major bridge and several roads in the region.

The United States Geological Survey stated that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers, striking around 6:45 a.m. local time.

Ecuador’s Oceanographic Institute (INOCAR) ruled out the possibility of a tsunami warning following the seismic event.

Ecuador’s recently re-elected President Daniel Noboa announced via his official account on the social platform X that emergency shelters had been established and humanitarian aid kits were being distributed to affected communities.

In response to the earthquake, state-owned oil company Petroecuador temporarily suspended operations at the Esmeraldas refinery, which produces around 111,000 barrels of oil per day, as well as the SOTE pipeline that transports crude oil from the Amazon to the coast.

Although the SOTE pipeline had suffered significant damage in March, resulting in the spill of over 25,000 barrels of crude oil, Petroecuador confirmed that no landslides or new damages were observed in the disaster area following the earthquake.