Ecuador Earthquake: 6.1 Magnitude Aftershock Rattles Country Days After Deadly Tremor

A powerful aftershock rattles Ecuador just days after a deadly earthquake destroyed the nation. A new 6.1-magnitude has been measured off the coast of Ecuador Wednesday, according to Independent UK. The incident follows the 7.8 magnitude that hit the South American country less than a week ago.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the aftershock was centered 15 miles west of coastal town Muisne, at 3:33 a.m. local time. The previous aftershock was measured at a magnitude of 5.7. As of now, there has been no immediate report of further damage.

The strong aftershock comes four days after Ecuador was shaken by a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake on April 16, leaving a death toll of over 520 dead and more than 1,500 injured. According to the National Prosecutors Office, at least 11 foreigners were among the dead. The Defense Department reported that more than 200 people were still missing as of Tuesday this week. "The final toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade," states Independent UK.

The effects of the quake, which shook the central coast, could be felt in the capital, Quito, and into parts of Peru and Colombia. While Ecuador is known for having high-magnitude earthquakes, this has been the strongest for the nation since 1979.

Here are some ways to help out our Ecuadorian brothers and sisters:

• Ecuador Red Cross: the organization already has teams on the ground searching for survivors and assisting the injured.
• Global Shapers Quito: the local organization is raising funds in order to provide food, water, clothing, medicines and blankets to the victims.
• UNICEF: as they continue to assess the needs of children in the most affected areas, UNICEF has delivered 20,000 water purification tables to the most devastated zones.
• Samaritan’s Purse: the religious organization is coordinating with local community churches and officials, and will be sending medical staff later on this week.
• World Vision: they’ve deployed emergency response staff to setup shelters and help with the aid distribution.
• Oxfam International: the organization says they are working with “contacts on the ground” to see how they can assist government first responders.

Latin Times reporter Natalie Roterman contributed to this story