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Strong earthquake strikes coast of Ecuador again

Friday, 22 April 2016 6:32 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 22 April 2016 10:26 AM ]

Soldiers are seen next to heavily-damaged buildings in the village of Manta, after an earthquake off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, April 21, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

A powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake has struck off the coast of Ecuador, only days after another quake claimed the lives of at least 587 people in the South American country.

The US Geological Survey said the new quake hit about 100 km (62 miles) northwest of the city of Portoviejo and at a depth of 10 km (six miles) on Thursday.

No immediate reports of damage have been available, and the government has not issued a tsunami warning yet.

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa posted a message on his Twitter account after the earthquake and said that a number of tremors had been registered on Thursday night.

According to media reports, the government has raised shelters for more than 25,000 in soccer stadiums, airports as well as other venues in worst-hit areas.

A pedestrian carried bottled water in Pedernales canton following an earthquake off Ecuador’s Pacific coast. (Photo by Reuters)

People and children from rural areas reportedly face a food and water crisis.

“We’re trying to survive. We need food,” said Galo Garcia, a 65-year-old resident, as he waited in line for water from a truck in San Jacinto Village. “There’s nothing in the shops. We’re eating the vegetables we grow.”

A magnitude-7.8 quake struck Ecuador’s Pacific coast last Saturday, killing over 587. A minor quake also hit the country on Wednesday.

The government has mobilized the National Guard and the police to help in rescue operations.

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