Recovery efforts underway following powerful Esmeraldas earthquake; At least 30 reported injured

Recovery and cleanup is underway in Esmeraldas following Friday’s 6.3 magnitude earthquake that shook much of northern Ecuador. The quake, which occurred at 6:45 a.m., was centered in the Pacific Ocean, 17 kilometers northeast of the city of Esmeraldas.

City crews in Esmeraldas are cleaning debris from streets following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

According to the National Risk Management office, more than 500 workers from three government ministries are in the Esmeraldas area to provide support for the estimated 700 people directly affected by the quake, many of them left homeless. Government workers are also supporting municipal crews in cleanup operations.

Officials say more than 30 people were injured in the earthquake, several of them seriously. At least 175 private homes and businesses and seven public buildings, including two health clinics, sustained significant damage.

The mayor’s office said that “serious structural damage” has occurred in many buildings and it will be days before the full extent of the damage is known.

On Saturday morning, thousands of residents remained without electric and water service, according to multiple sources.

Most government offices in Esmeraldas suspended services Friday morning and the Education Ministry the start of the new school term will be delayed.

Ecuadorian authorities initially issued a tsunami alert for the central and northern Pacific coast, but it was cancelled at midday Friday.