Two strong earthquakes hit Ecuador

By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep. (AA) – A pair of earthquakes struck the northern cost of Ecuador late Sunday in the same area affected by a massive tremor earlier this year, according to the Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School.

“Two strong aftershocks centered in Muisne. Everyone to remain calm. A hug to all Esmeraldas," President Rafael Correa said via Twitter.

He said there are no major developments in Manabi but some people are receiving medical services for nervous breakdowns.

The first quake registering magnitude 5.9 occurred at 21:01 p.m. (GMT1701) and was located 24.1 kilometers (15 miles) of Muisne, in the province of Esmeralda.

The second jolt at magnitude 6.3 came 10 minutes later in the same zone.

The quakes were felt as far away as the country´s capital of Quito, 153 kilometers (94 miles) away.

No immediate reports of injuries or damage has been reported and a tsunami alert was not issued but the government activated the Emergency Operations Committee (COE ), Risk Management´s Secretary Susana Dueñas told local media.

Ecuador was rocked by a magnitude-7.8 quake April 16 that killed 663 victims and left 29,000 homeless.

Authorities say there has been more than 2,100 aftershocks from that tremor.