Quake-Hit Ecuador Smacked by Another 5.6-Magnitude Aftershock

At least 77 people have been killed and 588 injured in a massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the Ecuador coast. The quake was followed by a series of strong aftershocks.

A 5.6-magnitude aftershock has hit Ecuadorian coast, according to USGS. The disaster has ravaged coastal towns and left thousands of households without power.  

International leaders have expressed their condolences over the disastrous earthquake. 

Aumenta a 77 la cifra de muertos tras fuerte #temblor de magnitud 7,8 en #Ecuador https://t.co/CWyjPW7oUm pic.twitter.com/E8TG9f2oKt

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) 17 April 2016

The quake hit 24km from Bahia de Caraquez and 32km from Chrone.

#EcuadorEarthquake latest: at least 77 dead, state of emergency declared in 6 provinces https://t.co/6jxUgNuBds pic.twitter.com/4GVKMDPMBo

— Megan Rowling (@meganrowling) 17 April 2016

​President Rafael Correa declared a national emergency and urged the Andean nation's 16 million people to stay calm. 

…Portoviejo, aunque seguimos recibiendo información.
Nuestro infinito amor a las familias de los fallecidos.

— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) 17 April 2016

"Our infinite love to the families of the dead," he said on Twitter, while cutting short a trip to Italy to return home.