Ecuador Coast Hit By A Massive Magnitude 7.8 Quake

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that potential wave amplitudes on Ecuador’s coast “may vary from forecast amplitudes due to uncertainties in the forecast and local features.”

“In particular maximum tsunami amplitudes on a tolls will likely be much smaller than the forecast indicates,” said an update issued at 1:59am GMT.

The Police and the National Guard have been mobilized to help with rescue and relief efforts.

At least 28 people have died in the quake according to preliminary data, the country’s vice president has announced.

The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, has urged people to remain “calm” on his Twitter account and to stay away from the coast and move to “upland areas, to avoid wave action and tides.”

The latest update issued at 1:59am GMT from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reiterated that “based on all available data… hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts” of Ecuador.

The municipal government in Quito reported no casualties in the city.