15 Killed, 100 Hurt In Ecuador Quake

An earthquake struck central Ecuador on Thursday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 100.

The quake hit at 3:05 p.m. PST and had a preliminary magnitude of 5.3. Its epicenter was near the communities of Pillaro and Pelileo, 70 miles south of the capital, Quito, according to the National Geophysical Institute.

The heaviest damage was reported in the provinces of Tungurahua and Cotopaxi, between 55 and 75 miles south of Quito.

Radio Central of Ambato, 75 miles south of the capital, reported that two children died in that town and 12 other people were killed in the nearby community of Pujili. Another woman died in neighboring Cuturiri.

The radio station reported that an undetermined number of houses had been destroyed.