A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck parts of Ecuador on the morning of April 25, 2025, causing injuries and significant structural damage, particularly in the coastal province of Esmeraldas. The earthquake, reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), occurred at 6:44 a.m. local time (11:44 GMT) at a depth of 35 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Esmeraldas, the provincial capital.
Initial reports indicated that at least 20 people sustained injuries, primarily from head trauma and other blunt force impacts. The Risk Management Secretariat confirmed that the tremor was felt across at least 56 cantons in Ecuador, disrupting electrical and telecommunications services in many affected areas. As of the latest updates, about 80% of these services have been gradually restored.
Videos shared on social media depicted scenes of chaos in Esmeraldas, with collapsed structures littering the streets and residents expressing their shock and fear. Mayor Vicko Villacís remarked, “God have mercy on us. First the oil spill, and now an earthquake. What’s important is that we’re here trying to serve the community, with our help, to move forward.”
Following the earthquake, President Daniel Noboa, who was on an international tour, ordered all government ministers to travel to Esmeraldas to coordinate relief efforts. He stated via social media platform X, “I have ordered the immediate deployment of all ministers to the province of Esmeraldas to coordinate the installation of shelters, delivery of humanitarian aid kits, and assistance in everything our people need.”
In addition to the human toll, the earthquake prompted Petroamazonas, the state oil company, to suspend operations at the Esmeraldas refinery and the Transecuatoriano Pipeline System. This suspension comes on the heels of a recent oil spill in March, where over 20,000 barrels of crude oil were discharged into the Esmeraldas River, affecting local ecosystems and communities.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the local government has suspended all activities to ensure the safety of the population. Technical teams have been deployed to assess the extent of the damages across various infrastructures, including public buildings such as the ECU 911 emergency response center and the Vargas Torres University, which sustained significant structural damage.
The earthquake's intensity was felt not only in Esmeraldas but also in surrounding provinces, including Guayas and Manabí, with reports of moderate tremors in areas as far as Pichincha and Cotopaxi. The Instituto Geofísico reported that the earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.0, slightly differing from the USGS's assessment.
Interestingly, just twenty minutes after the initial quake, a second, smaller earthquake of magnitude 4.1 was recorded in the coastal province of Guayas, though no immediate damage or injuries were reported from that event.
This recent seismic activity serves as a stark reminder of Ecuador's vulnerability to earthquakes, given its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its high seismic activity due to tectonic plate subduction. The province of Esmeraldas has a history of devastating earthquakes, including a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude quake in April 2016 that resulted in over 670 deaths and significant economic losses.
As the days unfold, authorities are working diligently to provide aid and assess the long-term impacts of this latest earthquake. The community is coming together, with many residents volunteering to help those affected, demonstrating resilience in the face of natural disasters.
In light of this recent disaster, experts are urging residents to prepare for potential aftershocks and to remain vigilant about emergency protocols. The Ecuadorian government has pledged to support those impacted, ensuring that recovery efforts are prioritized.
As the situation develops, updates will continue to emerge regarding the extent of the damages and the ongoing recovery efforts in Esmeraldas and surrounding areas.
