Machala

A search is under way for three police officers who were seized while on duty in the city of Machala by men driving an unmarked car.

The criminal organization in Ecuador had a large network to ship drugs to Spain, mainly to the ports of Algeciras and Vigo in the northwest, through an international banana trading company located in Ecuador's main banana port, Machala.

Machala resident Fabricio Cruz said he was in his third-floor apartment when he felt a strong tremor and saw his television hit the ground.

Saturday’s earthquake destroyed the home of Dolores Vaca in Machala.

Machala student Katherine Cruz said her home shook so badly that she could not even get up to leave her room and flee to the street.