Officials say 6.8 magnitude earthquake kills at least 14 in Ecuador, 1 in Peru

QUITO, Ecuador — Multiple houses and buildings have been damaged following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador Saturday.

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Update 10:30 a.m. EST March 19: Authorities in Ecuador reported that at least 14 people have died and at least 126 people were injured, according to The Associated Press.

Ecuador officials also reported that healthcare centers and schools have been damaged as a result of the earthquake, the AP reported.

“We remain in the territory verifying the damage caused by the earthquake this morning. I want to confirm that I am with you and express my solidarity and commitment to the victims,” Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said in a tweet, according to Reuters.

Original story: Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso in a televised address, said that at least 12 people were killed in the earthquake, according to The Associated Press.

Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola said 1 person died, according to the AP. He said it was a 4-year-old girl who sustained head trauma after her house collapsed in the Tumbes Region which is located by the border with Ecuador.

The earthquake shook areas of Ecuador and northern Peru. Rescue teams are being sent to the area to rescue people as the National Police are checking the damage. The AP reported power lines are down and areas are seeing interrupted telephone and electricity services.

The United States Geological Survey reported a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that was centered around 50 miles from the second-largest city in Ecuador called Guayaquil, according to the AP.

Houses and buildings were also damaged in the earthquake, CBS News reported.

The United States Geological Survey provided the “orange alert” tremor. According to CNN, that means “significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.”

One person died after a wall fell on their car in the city of Cuenca, according to CNN.

Ecuador is prone to earthquakes, according to the AP. In 2016, more than 600 people were killed in an earthquake that was centered farther north of the Pacific Coast.

The U.S. National Weather Service says there is no tsunami warning in effect for the area, CNN reported.