The 2016 Ecuador earthquake occurred on April 16 with a magnitude of 7.8 near the towns of Muisne and Pedernales in Ecuador. The earthquake caused widespread damage with structures collapsing hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. At least 654 people were killed and over 16,600 injured. President Correa declared a state of emergency as over 13,500 military and police were dispatched for recovery efforts. The earthquake was the result of the Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American Plate near the Ecuador coastline.