Landslide in Ecuador Leaves Five Dead, Dozens Injured and Missing

A devastating landslide in the Zamora Chinchipe province of Ecuador has claimed at least five lives, left 38 people injured, and 10 missing. The disaster struck the Cantzama sector on Saturday, July 4, 2026, following the overflow of the Zamora River, which inundated the area and caused significant destruction.

Preliminary reports from the Secretariat of Risks indicate that among the deceased are four adults and one minor. The injured include 10 firefighters who were involved in rescue efforts at the site. The Provincial Emergency Operations Committee (COE) remains in continuous session to coordinate the response with deployed institutions.

In response, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has deployed technical personnel and heavy machinery to the affected region. Rescue teams are working around the clock to find the missing individuals and assess the full extent of the damage caused by the mudslide. The national government has activated its full operational capacity, deploying specialized equipment and humanitarian aid to the impacted zones.

Authorities are also working to restore connectivity on affected roadways to ensure access for response teams. The Ministry urged the public to use only designated routes and avoid areas impacted by the landslide. Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Roberto Luque expressed his condolences to the victims' families and confirmed the government's commitment to providing immediate assistance.