A Magnitude 6.8 quake shakes an area 50 miles south of Ecuador’s second city, Guayaquil,  15 deaths reported so far in Peru. The tremors of the earthquake in the southern region of the country were felt in the coastal region of Ecuador and northern Peru.

Many houses, schools, and hospitals were damaged in the earthquake. Electricity and telephone connections were disrupted. Roads were cracked in many places and traffic was disrupted.

Ecuador's President Guillermo Lazo announced that an emergency team has been deployed to help those affected. The US National Weather Service said there was no tsunami warning following the earthquake.

The emergency response agency said firefighters worked to rescue people while the national police assessed the damage, their work made more difficult by downed lines that interrupted telephone and electricity services.

Ecuador’s government also reported damage to healthcare centers and schools. Lasso said he would travel on Saturday to El Oro.