On the evening of Saturday, April 16, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador’s northern coast, mainly affecting the provinces of Esmeralda and Manabi. So far 280 deaths and 2,500 injured have been reported along with substantial material damage.
There are currently 742 Cuban health collaborators offering services in Ecuador, 59 of which are stationed in the affected zone.
At the time of the quake, three healthcare professionals working in the municipality of Pedernales, Manabí province, were in a building which completely collapsed. The bodies of Dr. Bárbara Caridad Cruz Ruiz, 46 years of age, general family medicine and intensive care specialist from the province of Villa Clara; Dr. Leonardo Ortiz Estrada, 53, general family medicine specialist, residing in Villa Clara, originally from Manzanillo, Granma province; and Dr. Eric Omar Pérez de Alejo Quesada, 41, also a general family medicine specialist from Villa Clara, were found during search and rescue efforts being carried out. Their bodies are currently being preserved and will be transported back to Cuba at a later date.
In light of this regrettable loss, we offer the families of the deceased, examples of the altruism and solidarity which characterize our people, our most heartfelt condolences.
The remaining members of the brigade are in good health, and participating in rescue efforts and usual tasks, ready to help when and wherever necessary.
