A strong earthquake shook Ecuador on Saturday. At least twelve people have died and people are feared to be trapped under the stampede. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8. The earthquake occurred near one of the country’s largest cities, Guayaquil. In both the southern and northern parts of the country, houses and buildings have been damaged. The quake was also felt in the northern parts of neighboring Peru, according to the AP news agency. During Saturday afternoon local time, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso made a statement on live television in which he announced that twelve people had lost their lives as a result of the earthquake. Several people are feared to have been caught up in the mobs. The emergency services are working to save people and the national police have been called in to assess the damage. Videos shared on social media show people gathering in the streets after the earthquake. A video shows a news studio sensing the strong quake live. It is not the first time Ecuador has been hit by a natural disaster. In 2016, over 600 people died in a powerful earthquake.
t4-general
Strong earthquake shakes Ecuador – the death toll continues to rise
