A 5.7-magnitude earthquake followed by 37 aftershocks rattled Ecuador’s Pacific coast before dawn Monday, causing three deaths and heavy damage to hotels and homes in resort towns, hindustantimes.com reports, citing officials.
Three killed after 5.7 magnitude quake, aftershocks hit Ecuador
STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 20, ARTSAKHPRESS: The northwestern province of Esmeraldas - hit hard by a devastating temblor in April - bore the brunt of the new quake, too.
Three people died and 47 were injured as a result of the quake, according to disaster management agency SGR. At least 700 families had to leave their homes.
The dead all suffered from heart attacks, said President Rafael Correa, who rushed to Esmeraldas.
The quake caused a lot of damage to resort facilities in the coastal towns of Atacames and Tonsupa, and many homes also collapsed, Rivera told Radio Publica.
The quake struck in the Pacific off Atacames and was followed by aftershocks registering as high as 4.2, the Geophysical Institute reported.
It said the earthquake hit 5.7 after first reporting its magnitude was 5.8.
The quakes knocked out electricity in several areas of Esmeraldas but power was later restored. Schools were closed and it was unclear when they would reopen.
