NOTE UPDATED AT 17:45 on Saturday, January 15, 2022
Authorities lifted the tsunami warning. Previously, the suggestion to avoid recreational activities in the coastal profile was issued.
The National Secretariat for Risk Management suspended after 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2022 a tsunami warning for the mainland coast from the country. The alert had been taken for disturbances of up to 50 cm. above sea level recorded from 2:33 p.m. in La Libertad (Santa Elena), Manta (Manabí) and in points of Esmeraldas.
[Comunicado #8 ⚠️] Tsunami warning for the continental coast of the country is suspended, the observation status is maintained. #TogetherForewarned #EcRiskManagement pic.twitter.com/8tm9Q1bJgA
– Ecuador Risks (@Riesgos_Ec) January 15, 2022
The suspension occurred after the authorities concluded that the disturbances remained stable during the last hour (starting at 4:00 p.m.). In videos, it was observed how people were evacuating the beaches.
#tsunamiwarning | Right now, Punta Barandúa beach is being evacuated after activating the tsunami alert. pic.twitter.com/2kFr5GNkxT
— Daniel Solorzano ???? (@dani_solorzano) January 15, 2022
The Secretariat had also ordered the activation of 147 alarms with the message of “warning”. Municipalities in coastal areas were also activated by this issue. Some welcomed the risk recommendation and asked people to avoid recreational activities on the beach and others closed access to these spaces until any type of threat is reduced.