A strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Moment magnitude scale struck Ecuador early today, one month after a much larger quake killed some 660 people, the US Geological Survey said.

Hundreds of lives were lost in the devastating earthquake in Ecuador, thanks to a rescue dog; many lives were also saved in the incident.

A week after Ecuador's devastating earthquake, President Rafael Correa has said the number of fatalities has risen to 646.

At least 272 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,500 people injured after Ecuador was hit by its most powerful earthquake in decades.