Buildings damaged in Ecuador by earthquake of magnitude 6.3

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit near the coast in Ecuador on Friday. It damaged buildings in Esmeraldas, and some oil infrastructure was temporarily shut down.

EMSC reported that the quake occurred at a depth between 23 km and 14.29 miles. The authorities of Ecuador have ruled out issuing a warning for a tsunami.

In a preliminary government report, it was stated that one person had been injured and several homes and public buildings were damaged. Some areas also experienced power outages.

In a social media post, President Daniel Noboa said that the government will work to establish shelters, provide humanitarian aid for children and "assist our people with everything they need."

Petroecuador, the state oil company in Ecuador, said that it suspended operations at its Esmeraldas refinery as a precautionary measure after the earthquake. It did not elaborate on the potential impact of the suspension.

The Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute reported that a second earthquake of magnitude 4.1 minutes after the first occurred in the province Guayas. Reporting by Alexandra Valencia, Quito; Writing by Gabriel Araujo and Editing by Kylie Madry.

(source: Reuters)