6.0-Magnitude Aftershock Strikes off the Coast of Ecuador

By DAVID CAPLAN
Apr 21, 2016, 11:51 PM ET

A 6.0-magnitude aftershock struck off the coast of Ecuador Thursday night, the U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed.

According to the USGS, it was centered 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) north-northwest of Bahia de Caraquez, a coastal city of about 20,000, where the main economic activity is shrimp farming. The area also has a growing tourism industry.

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There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The strong aftershock follows the country's devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquakequake on Saturday, which so far has left at least 587 dead, 155 missing, and more than 23,000 homeless, according to government officials.

President Rafael Correa announced Wednesday night that he would raise sales taxes and put a one-time levy on millionaires to help pay for reconstruction.