Deadly Earthquake Strikes Ecuador's Southern Coast, Leaving Destruction and Chaos in Its Wake

Foreign media reports, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 hit the southern coast of Ecuador, causing damage to buildings and vehicles in several cities.

The southern province of El Oro was the most affected, with reports of people trapped inside collapsed houses. At least 12 people have died, with 11 in El Oro and one in Azuay province, and more than 380 people were injured.

The earthquake also caused destruction to homes, educational buildings, health centers, and roadways. The Santa Rosa airport suffered minor damage but remained operational.

President Guillermo Lasso called for calm and said that emergency teams were mobilizing to support those affected. There were two weaker aftershocks following the initial earthquake.

The earthquake was also felt in the northern region of Peru, but there were no immediate reports of harm.

Image courtesy - Reuters