Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
By: The opinion Posted Mar 19, 2023, 10:32 am EDT
Pope Francis expressed his “closeness” to the people of Ecuador after the earthquake that has shaken this country and which has resulted in at least 14 deaths and considerable material damage, also in neighboring Peru.
“Dear brothers and sisters, yesterday in Ecuador an earthquake caused many injuries and enormous damage. I feel close to the Ecuadorian people and I assure my prayer for the deceased and all those who suffer”, he said from the window of the Apostolic Palace after the Sunday Angelus prayer.
Yesterday in #Ecuador an earthquake has caused deaths, injuries and great damage. I am close to the Ecuadorian people and I assure my prayers for the deceased and for all those who suffer.
– Pope Francis (@Pontifex_es) March 19, 2023
The earthquake, which affected the border area between Ecuador and Peru, has resulted in 14 deaths in the first country: twelve in the province of El Oro and another two in Azuay, both in the south.
Peru has also confirmed the death of a 4-year-old girl on its territory.
The 6.5 magnitude earthquake on the Richter Scale occurred at noon on Saturday with epicenter in Ecuador, but it was also felt in the northern Peruvian region of Tumbes.
According to the Ecuadorian authorities, the earthquake left 381 injured, many of them evacuated with the support of the Army by air.
Official reports in Ecuador give an account of 90 homes affected, 44 destroyed, fifty educational units affectedas well as 17 public assets, 20 private assets, 31 health centers and one private asset destroyed, like a bridge.
The collapse of facades, broken glass and cracks in walls, among others, were also reported.
With information from Efe.
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