A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck the northern coast of Ecuador on Friday, April 25, 2025, causing significant structural damage and inducing panic among residents. The quake occurred around 6:45 AM local time (8:45 AM in Brasilia) and was centered approximately 21 kilometers northeast of the city of Esmeraldas, at a depth of 35 kilometers, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor was felt across at least ten provinces, including the capital, Quito, leading to widespread alarm. Images shared by local media showcased damaged buildings in Esmeraldas, the city closest to the epicenter, where residents recounted moments of fear during the shaking. "It was very strong and also long... I estimate it lasted at least half a minute," said Yaku Pérez, a former presidential candidate who was in Esmeraldas to present a book.
According to the National Risk Management Secretariat, one person sustained a head injury, and approximately 30 homes were affected by the earthquake. Power outages were also reported in several areas, further complicating the situation for residents.
In response to the crisis, President Daniel Noboa, who was traveling abroad at the time, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce that the government would work to create shelters and deliver humanitarian aid to those affected. “The government is with you, and this is how we will move forward,” he wrote.
The state-owned oil company Petroecuador announced the suspension of operations at the Esmeraldas refinery and the SOTE gas pipeline as a precautionary measure following the earthquake. The company did not specify the potential impact on production but noted that structural reviews were being conducted on the pipeline system that had previously experienced an oil spill in March.
Despite the severity of the quake, Ecuadorian authorities quickly ruled out the possibility of a tsunami, which had initially been considered. A tsunami alert issued for the Pacific coast was promptly canceled after technical evaluations.
Emergency services are currently assessing the damage, with government ministers dispatched to the affected areas for on-the-ground evaluations. The municipality of Esmeraldas has also suspended all activities to safeguard the population and mobilized technical personnel to assess the damages.
The earthquake comes as a stark reminder of Ecuador's vulnerability to seismic activity, situated on the boundary of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. The country has a history of significant earthquakes, including the devastating 2016 quake that resulted in 673 fatalities and left over 6,300 people injured.
Just twenty minutes after the initial quake, the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador reported a second tremor with a magnitude of 4.1 in the coastal province of Guayas, located at a depth of 86 kilometers. This aftershock further heightened concerns among residents already shaken by the first quake.
As the situation develops, authorities continue to monitor potential aftershocks and have urged the public to remain vigilant. The National Risk Management Secretariat is actively evaluating the impacts of the earthquake and coordinating with local governments to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
In the wake of this natural disaster, the resilience of the Ecuadorian people is being tested once again. The government’s swift response and the solidarity shown by citizens will be crucial in the days and weeks ahead as they work to recover from the aftermath of this earthquake.
