New quake strikes off Ecuador

  • 20/04/2016
New quake strikes off Ecuador

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck off the coast of Ecuador this evening, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake was centred 70km west-southwest of Esmeraldas on Wednesday (local time), at a shallow depth of 10km, not far from the epicentre of Saturday's 7.8 magnitude quake.

Witnesses in the area told Reuters two strong tremors of around 30 seconds each were felt, waking people up and sending them racing into the street.

It was not felt in the highland capital of Quito.

There was no immediate word from authorities on the impact of Wednesday's quake.

It comes after a deadly earthquake rocked the nation on Saturday, killing nearly 500 people.

Saturday's quake was the worst Ecuador had faced in decades, destroying or damaging around 1500 buildings, triggering mudslides and leaving some 20,500 people sleeping in shelters.

Newshub. / Reuters