12 die after earthquake of magnitude 6.8 hits southern Ecuador ...

Lagatar24 Desk

New Delhi, March 19: At least 12 people were killed after an earthquake of 6.8 magnitudes hit southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon.

Update: Ecuador earthquake kills at least 12 people, AFP reports citing official

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023

Taking to Twitter, the United States Geological Survey Earthquake said, “Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.7 – 6 km NNE of Balao, Ecuador.”

Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.7 – 6 km NNE of Baláo, Ecuador https://t.co/w577YHB2DP

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) March 18, 2023

As per Ecuador’s communications department for President, 11 people were killed in the province of El Oro and one person died in the province of Azuay.

Earlier, the authorities said a person in Azuay was killed when a wall collapsed onto a car and that at least three of the victims in El Oro died when a security camera tower came down.

The Presidency further said that people who were injured were being treated at hospitals.

The USGS gave the tremor an ‘orange alert’, saying ‘significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.’

“Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response,” added the USGS. It also estimated damage and economic losses were possible.

On Saturday, the Jorhat district of Assam was shaken by an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.6 at a depth of 50 Kilometers. However, no injuries or property damage were recorded.