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Experts Fear 2 Ecuador Earthquakes Might Kill 650 People Again: 1 Confirmed Dead In Region

By Brian McNeill | Update Date: May 19, 2016 05:58 AM EDT

Two quakes rocked Ecuador’s coast measuring 6.7 and 6.8 in magnitude and comes a month after that devastating magnitude-7.8 quake that claimed the lives of 650 people last month.

The extent of damage has yet to be officially known. According to Ecuador president Rafael Correa, the quake hit 15 miles north of the city of Rosa Zarate. Power was down and classes were suspended in the area with officials now trying to make a proper assessment on the damages left by the two quakes.

There was unfortunate casualty from the two quakes, a senior citizen. Two other people were reportedly seriously injured according to Correa from latest reports.

"We lament the death, which was caused either directly or indirectly by the earthquake, of a senior citizen in the city of Tosagua," Correa said, referring to a city in Manabi via Reuters.

Surprisingly, no tsunami warning was raiased by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in the aftermath of the quakes which brings back frightening memories of April 16.

To recall, Ecuador got devastated last month with a powerful 7.8-magnitude quake that claimed more than 650 people and leaving more than 6,000 injured. 29,000 inhabitants found themselves homeless with the estimated overall damage cost seen to reach $2 billion. It was the worst natural disaster for the country in decades.

President Correa has reached out to the United States to grant “Temporary Protected Status” which would allow nationals from those countries to remain in the US and hopefully obtain the necessary authorization to work.

Education struggles continue as well dating back to the April quake. More than 280 schools were damaged from last month’s quake, leaving roughly 120,000 children idle with no schooling.

UNICEF has come forward to help by providing 50 temporary learning spaces for about 20,000 children and providing basic school supplies to 60,000 children and adolescents in 700 schools.

“Education is a lifeline for children going through the trauma of chaos and destruction,” said Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in Ecuador. “It helps give them a daily routine and a sense of purpose and puts them on track for psychological recovery.”

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