Ecuador earthquake death toll reaches 16, with nearly 400 injured

At least 16 people died after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Ecuador on March 18 afternoon, CNN reports.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck near the southern city of Balao and was more than 65km (almost 41 miles) deep.

An estimated 381 people were injured in the quake, the General Secretariat of Communication of the Presidency of Ecuador tweeted on their official account.

In the province of El Oro, at least 11 people died. One other death was reported in the province of Azuay, according to the communications department for Ecuador’s president.

In an earlier statement, authorities said the person in Azuay was killed when a wall collapsed onto a car and that at least three of the victims in El Oro died when a security camera tower came down.

People who were injured were being treated at hospitals, the Presidency added, but did not provide further details.

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

“Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response,” the USGS added. It also estimated damage and economic losses were possible.

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

CNN affiliate Ecuavisa reported structural damage to buildings in Cuenca, one of the country’s biggest cities. The historic city is on the UN list of world heritage sites.

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

The airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca remained open and operational, the country’s statement said.