Updates from Ecuador
News from the ground
Editor's note:Fernando Pagés Ruiz, our Latin America Editor—and friend—has been reporting from Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Columbia over the last 9 or 10 months.He and Martina, his wife, were in Ecuador during April's earthquake and thankfully, escaped harm. We'd like to share Fernando's updates with his audience, so we'll publish his emails chronologically, most recent at the top.
5/19/16
Dan,
This may be fun to add, from the local gringo news….
“In Guayaquil and Quito, the 11:46 a.m. quake sent thousands of workers into the streets, fearful of building collapses. President Rafael Correa suspended school classes and ordered police and army personnel to the affected area. The Interior Ministry invoked a “no fun” rule, ordering the country’s bars, discos and night clubs closed until Monday, May 23.”
:(
Fernando
5/19/16
From this morning’s news: “In Esmeraldas, dozens of buildings not affected by the April quake were damaged, many being reported as irreparable.”
5/18/16
Dear Dan,
Memories run short, and already folks have begun to relax with the belief that another “big one” won’t come for another 75 years or so. So maybe it was good that today we got hit with two more pretty big shakers. Unfortunately, a bank collapsed in Puerto Viejo killing four, and several folks in various places sustained light to moderate injuries.
ECUADOR SHAKING IT UP, TWO 6.8 EARTHQUAKES SO FAR TODAY 05-18-16
Posted on May 18, 2016 • Filed under: Ecuador, Ecuador Emergency
6.8 earthquake near Mompiche
In the aftermath of April’s devastating earthquake and over a thousand aftershocks, Ecuador has been hit today with two 6.8 quakes in the northwestern section of the country near the coast (Mompiche) No reports yet of damage and or injuries. Various reports indicate both quakes have been between 6.7 and 6.8.
The quake struck 82 km (50 miles) south of Esmeraldas on the northwestern coast of the Andean country, the city where I’m working.
The mayor has approved my project of developing a systematic inspection and reconstruction ordinance, and the engineering department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will assist, along with local structural engineers.
Today was just another timely reminder that when you live on a fault line, you need to be prepared for those seismic seizures and build to save lives, even more than build to save a little money.