MIT declares emergency on Cuenca - Girón - Pasaje highway after landslides

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) in Ecuador has declared a state of emergency for the E59 Cuenca-Girón-Pasaje highway, a critical route connecting the provinces of Azuay and El Oro. The decision, formalized on June 19, 2026, comes in response to significant landslides that occurred on June 9, severely impacting traffic flow.

The emergency declaration, effective for 60 days, aims to expedite the allocation of necessary economic, technical, and human resources to address the damage. An initial budget of $1.2 million has been earmarked for immediate interventions. These funds will cover comprehensive road cleaning, stabilization of unstable slopes, repair of damaged culverts, patching of the road surface, and the installation of adequate signage.

Technical assessments, including an inspection by Vice Minister Paolo Carpio on June 15, informed the declaration. Teams from various MIT districts, along with personnel from Celec EP and local municipalities and prefectures, are already engaged in clearing operations. Current work focuses on fragmenting and removing rocks and debris between kilometers 86 and 92 of the affected highway.

While administrative procedures for the emergency are underway, the MIT is also developing an operational protocol to ensure user safety upon the road's eventual reopening. The reopening will be gradual and strictly controlled due to the ongoing sensitivity of the slopes, exacerbated by recent heavy rains. Authorities have committed to continuous interventions until the vital corridor is fully restored to safe circulation standards, connecting Ecuador's Sierra and Costa regions.

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The emergency will be in effect for 60 days, which will allow for the expedited allocation of economic, technical, and human resources.