Pacific Coast: Ecuador's Pacific Coast

The fishing vessel Doménica L sank off the coast of Santa Elena, leaving 14 crew members missing. Six survivors are stable, while the Navy continues extensive search and rescue operations amid adverse sea conditions.

A shooting in Montañita, Santa Elena, in the early morning of Sunday, September 13, resulted in the death of one person and injuries to four others, all foreign citizens. The incident occurred in a central tourist area, with three of the injured remaining in critical condition. This event unfolds while Santa Elena is under a state of exception.

Sercop suspended a procurement process to renew one Karpowership barge in southern Guayaquil. The proposed contract was worth USD 42.7 million and would have extended the service for six more months ahead of the dry season.

Warmer sea temperatures are changing fishing patterns on Ecuador's coast, with Ecuavisa reporting longer trips, scarcer fish, and higher albacore prices in Santa Elena. The effect is reaching municipal markets and household food costs.

An Air Canada aircraft flying Miami-Lima made an emergency landing at Manta’s Eloy Alfaro airport on July 12 after reporting an engine failure, with no injuries reported.

Salinas has opened its humpback whale watching season, with accredited boats offering two-hour trips and a reported fare of $21 per passenger.

Police and prosecutors detained Jipijapa Mayor Angela Plua and 12 others in Operation Digitador, an investigation into alleged irregular vehicle paperwork in Manabi. Authorities said the case involved 18 raids and suspected losses above $5 million.

Manabí remains under yellow alert as authorities prepare for possible El Niño impacts. Risk work is focused on river basins, rural flood zones, unstable slopes and historically affected cantons including Chone, Portoviejo, Rocafuerte, Sucre, Santa Ana, Montecristi and Jipijapa.

Ecuador is warning of high-energy waves from June 23 through June 25, 2026, with 12 beaches under red flag and 29 under yellow flag. The alert covers coastal and island areas and matters for beach travel, fishing and ocean activities.