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Ecuador’s disaster-stricken coast suffered a second powerful earthquake yesterday.
The 6.0 magnitude quake hit off the coast on Thursday, just days after almost 600 people were killed in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake – the worst to hit the South American country in decades.
The epicentre of the latest earthquake was 62 miles north-northwest of Portoviejo and at a depth of six miles, according to the US Geological Survey.
Three aftershocks were registered on Thursday night although there were no immediate reports of damage and there was no tsunami warning, Reuters reported.
Saturday’s quake caused hundreds of buildings to collapse and damaged roads and other infrastructure in tourist areas, with damage estimated to be worth between $2 billion to $3 billion.
More than 8,000 people were injured and 155 are still reported missing with damage to almost 2,000 buildings. The government appealed for tourists to keep travelling to the country to help support an industry that generated $1.7 billion last year.