In Ecuadorian cities such as Machala and Cuenca, buildings were destroyed, vehicles crushed and debris seen as rescue workers rushed to help and panic-stricken residents ran into the streets.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), at 12 p.m. 12 minutes local time (7:12 p.m. Lithuania), the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.8, and the depth was almost 66 km.
Its epicenter was in the Balao municipality of Ecuador, near the border with Peru, officials said.
Ecuador’s presidency reported 13 deaths: 11 in Oro province and two in Assuay province.
A four-year-old girl died after being hit on the head by a brick in the city of Tumbeso, on Peru’s border with Ecuador, according to an official statement.
Reports on social media indicated that the tremor was also strongly felt in other cities, including Guayaquil, Quito, Manabi and Manta.
Ecuador’s presidency said “there are injured people who are receiving urgent treatment in hospitals,” but did not provide any numbers.
President Guillermo Lasso went to Ora, where he visited the wounded in the hospital, before going to Assault.
“I just finished my visit to Machala town… I confirmed the support of the government, the availability of resources,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
Earlier in the day, he urged people to remain “calm and get information through official channels” about damage to buildings.