At least 1 dead after 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Ecuador

March 18 (United Press International) — At least one person has died after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck about 6 miles from the Ecuadorian city of Barao, according to the US Geological Survey.

The Ecuadorian Risk Management Secretariat stated that in a statement A building collapsed on top of a car carrying people, killing them.

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analyzing potential ground faultEcuador is expected to experience little or no landslides due to the quake, but a “significant number” of people could face severe ground liquefaction, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

american agency orange alert Regarding the expected death toll, it said that “significant casualties are likely and that the disaster is likely to be widespread.” A yellow alert was also issued for potential economic losses that could cause “some damage.”

The quake was likely felt across large swathes of the country, including the major cities of Naranjar, Machala, Guayaquil and Piura, according to the US Geological Survey.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said in a statement He has convened the Comité de Operaciones de Emergencia, the country’s agency that plans joint operations during emergencies and natural disasters.

Ecuador’s Risk Management Secretariat said it had deployed “an entire technical team” across the country to investigate the damage.

“We report that the earthquake did not have the necessary conditions to generate a tsunami off the coasts of the mainland and islands,” the secretariat said in a statement.

Officials said other damage included the collapse of a two-story building in Baláo, trapping people inside. Power lines were also downed by the quake, causing blackouts in parts of the country.