(CNN) At least four people died after the intensity A 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon, the country’s government said in a statement.
The earthquake struck near the southern town of Baláo and was more than 65 kilometers (nearly 41 miles) deep. According to the US Geological Survey.
One person was killed in the city of Cuenca in Azuay province when a wall collapsed on their car, and another three people were killed on the island of Jambelí in El Oro province when a security camera tower collapsed, officials said.
The USGS issued an “orange alert” for the tremor, saying “significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.”
“Past events at this alert level have required a regional or national response,” the USGS added. It also assesses damages and financial losses as possible.
Relatives of a CNN producer tThe western port city of Guayaquil said they felt “very strong” tremors.
CNN affiliate Ecuavisa reported damage to buildings in Cuenca, one of the country’s largest cities. The historic city is on the UN World Heritage List.
According to the US National Weather Service, there is no tsunami warning in effect in the area.
Guayaquil and Cuenca airports remained open and operational, the country’s statement said.
CNN’s Christina Maxouris and Marlon Sorto contributed to this report.