Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes western Ecuador

QUITO - An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck western Ecuador early Wednesday, according to the US Geographical Survey.

The powerful quake occurred at 02:57:04 local time (07:57:04 GMT), with the epicenter located about 34 kilometers from Rosa Zarate and 60 kilometers from Esmeraldas at a depth of about 10 kilometers.

The Geophysical Institute of Ecuador also recorded the earthquake, saying that it measured 6.8 on the Richter scale.

The tremor was felt in Quito and Guayaquil as the buildings swayed.

There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, but it caused blackouts in some coastal areas.

"The epicenter was Mompiche. There are no damages reported. There is no tsunami warning," President Rafael Correa tweeted.

The epicenter of the earthquake was not far away from that of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on April 16, which killed more than 650 people and injured around 16,600.