Friday, April 22, 2016

Another Strong Quake Hits Ecuador




Strong quake hits disaster-stricken Ecuador


A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 magnitude struck off Ecuador's disaster-stricken coast on Thursday, as survivors of an earlier deadly quake that killed 587 people clamored for food, water and medicine in parts of the disaster zone.
The latest quake hit about 100 km (62 miles) north-northwest of Portoviejo and at a depth of 10 km (six miles), said the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage and there was no tsunami warning. 
President Rafael Correa said on Twitter that three aftershocks were registered on Thursday night, adding "have strength!". 
Saturday's deadly quake was a massive 7.8 magnitude.
"We're trying to survive. We need food," said Galo Garcia, a 65-year-old lawyer as he waited in line for water from a truck in beachside village of San Jacinto. "There's nothing in the shops. We're eating the vegetables we grow."
A crowd nearby chanted, "We want food."
Correa's socialist government, facing a mammoth rebuilding task at a time of greatly reduced oil revenues in the OPEC nation, said there was no lack of supplies, just problems with distribution that should be quickly resolved.
The government quickly moved supplies to the main towns and set up shelters for more than 25,000 people in soccer stadiums and airports, but shattered roads have impeded the operation.
On streets near Pedernales, one of the worst-hit towns, children from rural areas held signs begging for food. Many people left villages to seek help, and those who stayed behind felt the pinch. 
"All of us here have been marginalized. The others are receiving things, but we're not," said Darwin Gachila, 33, as he cradled his baby daughter, flanked by his wife and two other children in the small village of Cojimies. 
A government official at a food storage point outside the town of Pedernales asked a supplicant, Jose Gregorio Basulor, 55, to stay calm. "I can be patient but not the children!" he shouted back. "They are crying."





Another Mag 6.0 - NEAR THE COAST OF ECUADOR...The latest massive aftershock to strike the area.
Another major aftershock struck Ecuador early this morning, it's the 30th large aftershock since Saturday's magnitude-7.8 quake that killed more than 500 people, with hundreds of smaller aftershocks.
Some people in Portoviejo abandoned their homes, even those with no apparent damage, and headed to a former airport where temporary shelters have been set up.
The government said the number of known dead stood at 553, but officials expected more bodies to be found.
About 7,000 were injured.
At least 11 foreigners were among the dead, including two Canadians and three Cuban doctors who had been on a medical mission to Ecuador.
This mornings aftershock brings the total of major quakes for April to 18 and the total for the year to 46...













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