Two Aftershocks Rattle Earthquake-Weary Ecuador
Tremors frighten residents still recovering from last month's deadly quake.
— -- Ecuador, still recovering from the economic and human toll of the major earthquake that rocked the South American country last month, was hit with two aftershocks today, hours apart.
The first one struck shortly before 3 a.m. local time, at a shallow depth of about 20 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, registering a magnitude of 6.7. The second one occurred hours later and registered 7.2.
The events frightened already traumatized residents, thousands of whom have been displaced after the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck the country April 16, killing 661 people.
President Rafael Correa said Ecuador, which borders the Pacific Ocean, did not face a tsunami alert after the first aftershock.
"These sort of aftershocks are normal, but that doesn't mean they're not scary, and [they] can cause damage," Correa said in a televised address.
There have been no reported deaths at this time.