At least 233 people have died and more than 600 injured in Ecuador after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit its northwest Pacific coast late on Saturday, reported Reuters. The United States Geological Survey said the quake was shallow and it centred 27 kilometres south-southeast of Muisne.
A state of emergency has been declared in six provinces of the country and the National Guard has been called in, reported the BBC. The government said the quake has caused considerable damage around the epicentre and in the port city of Guayaquil. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a statement saying the tsunami threat has mostly likely passed, though local authorities still need to monitor for risks. President Rafael Correa asked the people to show strength.
In Guayaquil, an overpass collapsed on top of a car and the roof of a shopping center buckled. In Manta, the airport was closed after the control tower collapsed following the earthquake. In the capital city of Quito, people fled to the street in fear. Electricity and cell phone coverage has been badly hit in several parts of the city. Aftershocks, some as strong as 5.6 on the Richter scale, continued in the hour after the quake.
A few hours later, the pacific island of Tonga was hit by 5.8-magnitude earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey. Tonga is the site of strong seismic activity as it sits at a point where the Australia and Pacific tectonic plates meet. No casualties have been reported yet.
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