Strong earthquake shook Ecuador, 41 people died

A 7.8-magnitude quake struck the central Ecuadorian coast, killing at least 41 people and potentially leading to tsunamis.

Location of the capital Quito, Ecuador.(Graphic: BBC.)

The quake occurred around 23:58 GMT with the epicenter at a depth of 10 km, about 173 km from Quito, Ecuador , only 28 km south of the coastal town of Muisne, according to the Geological Survey US (USGS). The USGS estimates that the magnitude of earthquakes is 7.8 and that of Ecuador and neighboring countries gives lower numbers.

Hail waves formed off Ecuador in a 300-kilometer radius from the epicenter could turn into tsunamis , threatening the country and Colombia, Reuters information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

" I was at home watching the movie when everything started shaking. I rushed out to the street and didn't know what was going to happen, " said Lorena Cazares, a 36-year-old telecommunications agent in Quito. The streets of Quito are full of people, they dare not stay indoors for fear of being buried.

A bridge collapsed in the coastal city of Guayaquil and a collapsed tower at Manta city airport. Quito lost power but the incident was fixed.

"The earthquake killed 41 citizens. The number of casualties may increase in the next few hours ," AFP quoted Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas as saying at a news conference. Ecuador announced a national emergency.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 0.3 to 1 m high might hit Ecuador. Peru has issued a tsunami warning after an earthquake off Ecuador.