(CNN) At least four people died after the enormity The country’s government said in a statement that a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon.
The earthquake occurred near the southern town of Palau and had a depth of more than 65 km (nearly 41 miles), According to the United States Geological Survey.
Authorities said one person died in the city of Cuenca, in Azuay province, when a wall collapsed on their car, and three others died on the island of Gambili, in Oro province, when a security camera tower fell.
The USGS gave the shake orange alert, “Large loss of life is likely and the disaster is widespread,” he said.
The USGS added that “past events with this alert level have required a regional or national response.” It also estimated possible damages and economic losses.
CNN Producer’s Relatives RIt is a western port city Guayaquil They said they felt “very strong” tremors.
CNN affiliate Aquavisa It 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 in the area, according to what it reported US National Weather Service.
The state statement stated that the airports of Guayaquil and Cuenca remain open and operational.
CNN’s Christina Maksuris and Marlon Surto contributed to this report.
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