Environment Environmental disasters Earthquake

The earthquake in Ecuador

The marine museum of Puerto Bolivar swallowed by the sea during the earthquake - Video

The site has been in operation for more than 60 years and contained at least 5,000 marine artifacts, local media reported. Local people tried to save the precious finds by boating

19/03/2023

Reuters

A museum erected on a pier in the coastal area of El Oro province, Ecuador, was almost completely submerged after collapsing during the strong earthquake that rocked the country on Saturday (March 18).

Known as the "Marine Museum of Puerto Bolivar," the site has been in operation for more than 60 years and contained at least 5,000 marine artifacts, local media reported.

People on boats were seen saving the precious artifacts displayed in the museum while onlookers of the place were lined up on the shore.

The presidency's communications agency said the earthquake killed 14 people and more than 380 people were injured, mostly in El Oro province.

The quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) classified as magnitude 6.8, struck at a depth of 66.4 km about 10 km from the city of Balao, in the province of Guayas.

The agency said at least 44 homes were destroyed, while another 90 were damaged. Around 50 school buildings and more than 30 health centres were also affected, while several roads were blocked by landslides caused by the earthquake. Santa Rosa Airport suffered minor damage, but remained in operation.