By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador was hit with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the evening of Saturday, April 16. It was the largest earthquake in Ecuador since 1979. The epicenter of the quake hit the coastal city of Muisne. The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks, the largest of which reached 5.6. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has announced that any threat of tsunami has “mostly passed.”

President Correra was attending a conference at the Vatican over the weekend when the earthquake struck. He has cut short his trip and is returning to Ecuador. He has declared a national emergency, and a state of emergency in 6 of the country’s 24 province, giving the government expanded powers. 10,000 soldiers and 3,500 police officers have been dispatched to affected areas.  Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia are sending personnel and supplies, and President Correra has requested international assistance.

Pedernales, a beachy tourist area has been “devastated.” 135 aftershocks occurred in that area alone. Vice President Jorge Glas travelled to the area on Sunday morning, reporting that “people [are] trapped in various places and we are starting rescue operations.” Pedernales’ mayor Gabriel Alcivar called the situation “catastrophic.”

In the capitol city of Quito, buildings swayed for 40 seconds and people rushed out into the streets. The quake knocked out electricity and cell phone reception in several areas. Rock slides were reported on several roads leading to the city, but no deaths were reported in the city.

As of about noon on Sunday, 233 people were reported to have died, and about 1,500 more injured in the quake. That number is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Ecuador is no stranger to earthquakes. The country sits in the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” which sees frequent seismic activity. Seven earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater have struck the country since 1990. The Ecuadorian earthquake follows deadly 6.2 and 7.0 earthquakes in Japan earlier in the week.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC – Ecuador earthquake of 7.8 magnitude kills dozens – 17 April 2016

CNN – Ecuador earthquake: Death toll jumps to 233; more than 1,500 wounded – 17 April 2016

New York Times – Earthquake in Ecuador Kills more than 230, President Says – 17 April 2016

Reuters – Earthquake kills 233 in Ecuador, devastates coast zone – 17 April 2016

TeleSur – UPDATE: 233 Died in the Powerful Ecuador Earthquake – 17 April 2016

Voice of America – Death Toll in Ecuador Quake Triples; 233 Killed – 17 April 2016