Ecuador earthquake killed at least 12 people

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CNN –

At least 12 people have died after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon, according to government officials.

The quake struck near the southern town of Palau and had a depth of more than 65 kilometers (nearly 41 miles), according to the USGS.

The Communications Department of Ecuador’s president said 11 people died in El Oro province and one person died in Azuay province. In an earlier statement, authorities said the person in Azuay was killed when a wall collapsed into a car and that at least three of the victims in El Oro died when a surveillance camera tower fell.

The presidency added that the injured were being treated in hospitals, but gave no other details.

The USGS gave the tremor an “orange alert”, saying “significant casualties are likely and the disaster is widespread”.

The USGS added: “Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national response.” It also estimated possible damages and economic losses.

Relatives of a CNN producer in the western coastal city of Guayaquil said they felt “very strong” tremors.

CNN affiliate Ecuador reported structural damage to buildings in Cuenca, one of the country’s largest cities. The historic city is included in the United Nations list of World Heritage Sites.

There is no tsunami warning in effect for the area, according to the US National Weather Service.

The state statement stated that the airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca remain open and operational.

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