More than a dozen killed, including 4-year-old girl, after magnitude 6.8 earthquake rattles Ecuador
The USGS says large earthquakes are common in the South American country. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked nearly the same region back on April 16, 2016. The quake was blamed for more than 700 deaths and over 27,000 injuries.
Ecuador rocked by magnitude 6.8 earthquake
A powerful earthquake rocked South America over the weekend, killing at least 14 people in Peru and Ecuador.
QUITO, Ecuador – A magnitude 6.8 earthquake that rattled portions of southern Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday afternoon has led to at least 15 deaths, 445 injuries and caused buildings to collapse in the South American countries.
According to the Associated Press, one of those deaths was a 4-year-old girl in Peru who was killed when her home collapsed in the Tubmes region, which is on the border with Ecuador.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake was centered near the town Baláo and was likely the result of interference between the Nazca and South American plates.
Video from Cuenca in Ecuador showed debris falling from buildings onto streets and damaging vehicles while first responders sifted through rubble.
Magnitude, location and time of the Ecuador earthquake on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
(FOX Weather)
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said government agencies had been activated to support the victims and asked for calm during the emergency.
Seismologists were closely monitoring the southeastern Pacific after the earthquake for a potential tsunami but said the quake did not trigger a wide event.
Shake maps indicated the strong earthquake was also felt in northern Peru, and buildings there were also damaged or destroyed.
Deadly earthquake rocks Ecuador
At least a dozen people were killed after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador on Saturday.
The USGS says large earthquakes are common in the South American country due to the movement of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.
Over the past 100 years, 32 significant earthquakes have occurred within about a 150-mile radius of the most recent event.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked nearly the same region back on April 16, 2016. The quake was blamed for more than 700 deaths and over 27,000 injuries.
NEW MOAI STATUE FOUND AMID ONGOING DROUGHT ON HISTORIC EASTER ISLAND
![Ecuador earthquake]()
Image 1 of 2CUENCA, ECUADOR - MARCH 18: Police take security measures after 6,8 magnitude earthquake hit the town of Balao in Ecuadorâs Azuay province on March 18, 2023 in Cuenca, Ecuador. A house collapsed onto a moving car due to the earthquake in Cuenca's historic centre. A strong earthquake struck Ecuador on Saturday, killing at least four people, according to the country's Risk Management Secretariat. (Photo by Dario Ordonez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
![Ecuador earthquake]()
Image 2 of 2CUENCA, ECUADOR - MARCH 18: Firefighters conduct search and rescue operations after 6,8 magnitude earthquake hit the town of Balao in Ecuadorâs Azuay province on March 18, 2023 in Cuenca, Ecuador. A house collapsed onto a moving car due to the earthquake in Cuenca's historic centre. A strong earthquake struck Ecuador on Saturday, killing at least four people, according to the country's Risk Management Secretariat. (Photo by Dario Ordonez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
