The Geophysical Institute of Ecuador registered it as another earthquake and not an aftershock from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 16.
Another earthquake hit Ecuador’s capital Quito at 7.22 p.m., local time. While only a 4.6 magnitude earthquake, the fact that it struck the capital again is alarming.
The Geophysical Institute of Ecuador registered it as an earthquake and not an aftershock from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 16.
It added that the epicenter was 11.8 kilometers from Quito and its depth was at only 4.7 kilometers. Many across the city left their buildings and ran to the streets as they feared a major aftershock.
President Rafael Correa confirmed the earthquake from his Twitter account and said the Tumbaco valley, near the city, had lost electricity. He added that the epicenter was around the city’s international airport Mariscal Sucre.
This is the second earthquake to take place near the capital in less than a month.
On Aug. 9 another earthquake with the same 4.6 magnitude took place in the capital but struck at a depth of 7.3 kilometers.
This comes four months after a major April earthquake devastated Ecuador, claiming the lives of more than 700 people and destroying 24,000 buildings and homes. The damages were well over US$2 billion.
Since then hundreds of aftershocks have taken place across the country leaving many on edge.
