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At least four people died after the magnitude A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon, the government said in a statement.
The quake occurred near the southern town of Balao and was over 65 km (nearly 41 miles) deep. According to the US Geological Survey.
Authorities said one person was killed when a wall collapsed on top of a car in the city of Cuenca, in Azuay state, and three people died when a security camera tower collapsed on Janberi Island in El Oro state.
The USGS gave the quake an “orange alert”, saying “severe casualties are likely and the disaster could be widespread.”
“Past events of this alert level have required regional or national level responses,” the USGS added. It also estimated that damages and economic losses could occur.
CNN Producer Relatives of tThe western port city of Guayaquil said it felt a “very strong” tremor.
CNN affiliate Ecuavisa reported structural damage to buildings in Cuenca, one of the country’s largest cities. The historic city is inscribed on the United Nations World Heritage List.
No tsunami warnings have been issued for the region, according to the US National Weather Service.
Guayaquil and Cuenca airports remain open, according to a state statement.
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