Massive earthquake hits Peru, Ecuador: At least 14 killed, buildings damaged

A strong earthquake shook Peru and Ecuador on Saturday (March 18) and killed at least 14people, injured severel, and damaged buildings, according to Ecuador's presidency.

Cities like Machala and Cuenca in Ecuador damaged buildings, and crushed carsas rescue workers rushed to offer assistance while terrified locals ran to the streets, reported NDTV.

The earthquake of 6.8 magnitude and at a depth of roughly 41 miles (66 km) occurred around 12:12 local time, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) (1712 GMT).

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As per authorities, it the quake’s epicentre was close to the Peruvian border in the municipality of Balao in Ecuador.

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"I rushed out into the streets because I saw people starting to run in panic, getting out of their cars," Magaly Escandon, a sewing supplies saleswoman in Cuenca, told AFP.

"So far, 12 deaths are reported (11 in the province of El Oro and one in the province of Azuay)," Ecuador's presidency said in a tweet.

In addition to Guayaquil, reports on social media suggested that tremors were also felt strongly in other cities like Quito, Manabi, and Manta.

Guillermo Lasso, president of Ecuador, posted a tweet urging people to keep "calm and to be informed through official channels" of building damage.

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In Cuenca, a vehicle was crushed under a house's facade, leaving "a deceased individual," according to Quito's Risk Management Office. Old buildings in the historic centre of the city were also damaged, according to AFP journalists present at the location.

Three people were reported dead nearby in the province of El Oro after a tower collapsed and fatally crushed them.

An earthquake of7.0 magnitude was initially recorded by Peruvian seismological authorities, but this was later revised to a magnitude of 6.7 on the Richter scale.

Hernando Tavera, head of the National Seismological Centre of Peru, informed RPP radio that "There is no significant damage to the structure or peoplein the country."

(With inputs from agencies)

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