Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits Ecuador's Pacific Coast

BOGOTA, Colombia

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near Ecuador's Pacific coast on Friday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported.

The epicenter of the seismic event, which occurred at approximately 6.45 am local time (1145GMT), was located near the Pacific coast of the northwestern city of Esmeraldas, at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).

The tremor resulted in injuries to at least 20 people and structural damage to at least 60 homes, a health center, and a military building.

Residents were seen navigating debris during evacuations, while others attempted to clear collapsed walls that had fallen onto a street.

Local media outlets reported power outages in Esmeraldas. State energy company Petroecuador announced that it had temporarily suspended operations at the Esmeraldas refinery as a precautionary measure following the quake.

The quake was felt across at least 10 provinces of the country, including the capital, Quito. The seismic activity was also reported in neighboring Colombia.

Ecuadorian authorities initially issued a tsunami alert for the Pacific coast, but it was cancelled a little later.

President Daniel Noboa, who is in Rome to attend Pope Francis's weekend funeral, said on X that the government had arranged for the establishment of shelters and the provision of humanitarian aid kits and "assistance in everything our people need."

Ecuador is located over the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, which generate constant tremors.