Earthquake hits Ecuador, northern Peru; at least 15 dead

A strong earthquake shook southern Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday, killing at least 15 people, trapping others under rubble, and sending rescue teams out into streets littered with debris and fallen power lines. The US Geological Survey reported the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that was centred just off the Pacific Coast, about 50 miles south of Guayaquil. One of the victims died in Peru, while 13 others died in Ecuador, where authorities also reported that at least 126 people were injured.