An earthquake of 5.7 degrees of preliminary magnitude that was registered this Monday in the border area of Ecuador with Colombia left at least two minor injuries and damage to the masonry and the roofs of some houses and heritage buildings, authorities reported.
The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake, which was followed by a series of aftershocks smaller than magnitude 4.0, occurred at 8:33 a.m. local time. After the first movement, hundreds of citizens took to the streets and squares seeking protection.
The ECU 911 emergency service reported that 41 houses with serious structural damage have been identified, dozens of others with lesser level damage and two minor injuries due to the fall of a wall. He added that they continued to receive emergency calls and that the damage in more remote areas remained to be verified.
Videos and photographs published in the media, such as the newspaper La Hora and NotiMundo, show cracked walls, destroyed roofs, among other consequences, in towns such as Tulcán, San Gabriel, El Ángel and others in the area, in the heart of the border, where a good part of the constructions are made of adobe (earth bricks) and wood.
Relief agencies working in the area have also reported that there are some affected vehicles because the eaves and roofs of some old houses fell on them.
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