Ecuador earthquake: 6.7 magnitude quake strikes near country's west coast

The earthquake follows an extremely destructive quake to hit the country in April in which hundreds died

The region is still recovering from a devastating earthquake which hit in May (USGS)

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake has struck Ecuador.

According to the US Geographical Survey, the quake's epicentre was 36 miles south of the city of Esmeraldas, at a depth of 6.2 miles.

A destructive Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement.

There was no report of significant damage, but electricity was cut in some coastal areas. However, people ran into the streets as far away as the highland capital Quito, according to witnesses, suggesting fears over earthquakes remain strong.

President Rafael Correa said the epicenter was the fishing village of Mompiche on the Pacific coast, and only some "small damages" had been caused.

"All quiet," he tweeted. "[People from] Quito can return to their homes."

A national emergency committee had been convened but is due to be deactivated, the president said.

In April, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the country in one of Ecuador's worst disasters for nearly seven decades. It killed more than 650 people and injured around 16,600.