Ecuador devastated by magnitude 6 earthquake

Ecuador has been hit by another powerful earthquake.

The magnitude 6 tremor has struck the country's north west coast - but there is no word yet on injuries or damage.

People in Ecuador are still recovering from an earthquake last weekend which killed 587 people.

More than 200 people are still missing following the earthquake on April 16 , which has left more than 23,500 people homeless.

The final death toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade.

President Rafael Correa is planning to raise taxes and impose a one-off levy on millionaires to rebuild the devastated cities.

The task of rebuilding should not fall only to communities along the coast in the quake's path but would require sacrifices from all segments of Ecuadorean society according to their ability to contribute, Mr Correa said.

"I know we're at the most-difficult stage right now but it's just the beginning," he said.

Using authority granted by the state of emergency he declared after Saturday night's quake, Mr Correa said sales taxes would increase to 14% from 12% for the coming year.

Volunteers hand out water and food from a truck to the residents of Estancia Las Palmas. (AP photo)