6.8-magnitude aftershock strikes Ecuador

A new aftershock measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck western Ecuador on Wednesday after a quake of the same magnitude jolted the country's coast earlier in the morning, according to the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador.

The Geophysical Institute said that the aftershock was recorded at 11:46 a.m. local time (16:46 GMT) with its epicentre located in the province of Esmeraldas at a depth of 6.2 kilometers, Xinhua reported.

The quake caused panic in several parts of the country, including the capital city of Quito, where citizens frightened out of their homes.

Earlier, a powerful quake of magnitude 6.8 was registered at 02:57 a.m. local time (07:57GMT) at the same area of western Ecuador, said the Institute.

The US Geographical Survey also recorded the earthquake at dawn, saying that it measured 6.7 on the Richter scale, with the epicentre located about 34 kilometers from Rosa Zarate and 60 kilometers from Esmeraldas at a depth of about 10 kilometers.

--IANS

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