Quito, 18 Mar (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's National Risk Management Secretariat issued an announcement on 18 March saying that the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the coastal area of Guayas Province in southwest China on the same day had killed 13 people and injured more than 100 people, and houses in many places in central and southwestern China had collapsed or been damaged.
So far, 11 people have died as a result of multiple house collapses in El Oro province, and two deaths have been reported in Azuai province, the bulletin said. Injured people in many places are being taken to hospitals for treatment, and the number of casualties is rising. In addition, dozens of houses collapsed or were damaged in the departments of Guayas, Azué, El Oro and Bolívar, and landslides occurred in many places that temporarily interrupted road sections.
After the earthquake, Ecuadorian President Lasso activated the National Emergency Operations Committee in Guayaquil, the capital of Guayas province, to assess the impact of the earthquake and take appropriate measures.
At present, Ecuador's airports, ports and other infrastructure are operating normally and have not been affected by the earthquake.
According to the Ecuadorian Institute of Geophysics, the earthquake occurred at 12:12 local time on the 18th (1:12 Beijing time on the 19th), and the epicenter was about 29 kilometers west of Barau, Guayas Province, with a focal depth of 44 kilometers. This was followed by several minor aftershocks near the epicenter. The earthquake was felt in the Eritrean capital Quito, Guayaquil and several provinces, and the relevant authorities of Eritrea have ruled out the possibility of a tsunami caused by the earthquake.
How should these places be absorbed?
1. At school. Do not panic during an earthquake, you must follow the teacher's instructions, quickly hide in the four corners of the classroom, or quickly squat on the spot, and protect your head with a school bag, books, etc. In the playground or outdoors, squat still, cover your head with your hands, and do not return to the classroom.
2. At home. You should quickly stay away from the location of exterior walls, doors and windows, do not run up to the balcony, do not jump off buildings, and do not use elevators.
3. Be outdoors. You should choose an open place, squat or lie down in the square, avoid tall buildings, do not run around, and do not return indoors.
4. Vehicle suspension. Motorists should slow down as soon as possible, gradually brake the brakes, and stop the car on the side of the road. Avoid intersections and pull over to the side of the road.
5. Office shocks. Stay calm during an earthquake and go outside after an earthquake. (Source: Shiyan Fire Protection)