6.0 earthquake hits coast of Ecuador

A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of Ecuador, sending people running into the streets of the country's major cities.

Authorities say there have been no early reports of casualties or serious damage. The US Geological Service said Friday evening's tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 and was centred about 30 kilometres northeast of Bahia de



Caraquez.The quake occurred about 7 kilometres below the Earth's surface. Shaking was felt more than 200 kilometres away in the port city of Quayaquil and in the capital of Quito.

The quake struck in the same region as a powerful, magnitude 7.8 temblor in April 2016 that caused nearly 700 deaths and USD 3 billion in damage.