Landslide Disaster in Ekvador: Basic Services Reopened to Access in Zamora

The Ekvador government announced that it has made significant progress in emergency response efforts following the devastating landslide disaster that occurred on 5 Temmuz 2026 in the Guadalupe region of Zamora Chinchipe province. Authorities stated that they have successfully re-established vital basic services such as electricity and clean water in the area and reopened critical road connections to traffic. Additionally, it was reported that security controls have been tightened in the Kantzama (Cantzama) region, where the disaster occurred, to determine whether illegal mining activities are taking place. National government officials emphasized that search, rescue, and support efforts are continuing uninterrupted in the area and that they will remain on the ground until the crisis is completely overcome. Previous reports stated that the number of those who lost their lives during the disaster had risen to five, and that dozens of people were injured or missing.

During the process of restoring electricity service, the Southern Regional Electric Company (Eerssa) waged an intense technical battle. As of 04:00 on Saturday morning, company teams successfully restored power to two thousand four hundred forty users in the Yacuambi district and parts of the Guadalupe region by transferring the load from the Pangui Substation. While ninety-seven power lines and service points were damaged in the initial moments of the landslide, this adverse situation was reduced to only six service points following intensive technical work. It was announced that these remaining disruptions were caused by two electric transformers that were completely destroyed by the direct impact of the landslide. Authorities stated that efforts are ongoing to permanently repair the region's electricity infrastructure.

Regarding the safe provision of drinking water supply, the Ministry of Environment and Energy assumed an active coordination role within the Provincial Emergency Operations Committee (COE). Because the turbidity level of the river reached dangerous levels due to the landslides caused by the landslide, the main water intake facilities feeding Zamora city had to be temporarily suspended. However, thanks to the meticulous work of the teams, the water intake systems were reactivated on Saturday and water was supplied to the central network. Although drinking water service currently continues normally in shelters and the Guadalupe region, it was reported that a twenty percent damage was detected in the distribution networks in the Cantzama and Santa Isabel neighborhoods.

Regarding security and mining inspections in the disaster area, the Mining Regulation and Control Agency (Arcom) dispatched technical teams to the region and began field inspections. The main purpose of these comprehensive inspections, carried out accompanied by the Armed Forces, is to definitively determine whether illegal mining extraction occurred during or after the disaster. Government officials announced that if any illegal activity is detected as a result of these inspections, the harshest measures within the framework of the legislation will be taken. If deemed necessary, various sanctions will be applied, including the confiscation or disabling of heavy machinery used in illegal mining activities. This step is of great importance in ensuring environmental security in disaster areas and preventing potential secondary hazards.

Following the intensive cleanup efforts carried out by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, the Loja–Zamora E50 highway, which was damaged by the landslide and is one of the region's most important connecting roads, was reopened to vehicle traffic. The ministry continues to keep heavy machinery and operational personnel on site to sustain cleanup and repair operations in certain areas. Drivers were warned to travel carefully and cautiously against potential risks. Minister Roberto Luque stated that the government, along with all its institutions in the region, remains on the ground to provide holistic services to the disaster victims and is working to produce permanent solutions. Furthermore, the glad tidings were given that new housing projects will be constructed for citizens left homeless due to the landslide, and medical supply support in the region will be strengthened.