At least two people were killed and 8 were wounded following a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on Tuesday that struck near Quito, Ecuador.

The earthquake sent people rushing to the streets to avoid getting hit by any falling debris.

In a statement released by the emergency services, rescue workers are still working on freeing the people who were trapped after the quake.

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According to the National Risk Control Agency, the two people were killed in a Quito quarry, when the earthquake set off a landslide in the area.

Several firefighters are searching for three more people who were also reported to be on the site during the landslide.

In another conference, Quito Mayor Mauricio Rodas, said only one person died during the landslide and that a little boy, 4, was killed in a different part of the city when he was knocked down by several bags of rice.

Meanwhile, because of the disaster, the city's main airport temporarily deferred its flights as a precautionary measure.

Small landslides were also set off by the quake, filling the city with clouds of dust.

"I was on the phone talking to my daughter and suddenly the line was cut. I thought the house was falling down," Laura Flores, a Quito resident said.

Teresa Salazar, an employee who works in northern Quito, said once they felt the earthquake, they went scurrying into the streets. It was moderate, but they were "all very nervous," she added.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter was located 14 miles northeast of Quito and was only 4.8 miles (7.7 km) deep.

Tagsquito, Ecuador, earthquake