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A massive earthquake has rocked Ecuador at the border with Peru.

The quake, initially measured magnitude 7.7 but no scaled down to magnitude 7.5, has been felt in both countries and parts of Colombia.

It happened around 224km (140 miles) east-southeast of Ambato, Ecuador, the United States Geological Survey says.

Videos and photos of the devastation have started to emerge on social media.

In one image, a woman shudders and protects her face as she leaves her home.

Families have been pictured running from buildings in fear in major cities.

One shocked resident in Cuenca, Ecuador, reported experiencing "a good 30-second shake", according to witness statements on the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre website.

"Strong rattling of our windows woke us up. Continued for quite some time. Outside, trees and power lines were swaying. Our dog was scared," one woman posted online.

The area, close to the idyllic Pacific Ocean coastline, is said to be popular with British holidaymakers.

Are you affected by the earthquake? Contact web.news@trinitymirror.com

Another local described the rumble as the "strongest since the May 2016 quake".

Emergency services have rushed to the worst-hit areas to help assist with evacuations.

No tsunami warnings are in place.

Miraculously, as yet there have been no reports of serious injuries.

Authorities are in rural areas checking on isolated communities.

It happened at around 5.15am local time in Ecuador and Peru.

Aftershocks are still expected.

In May 2016, a magnitude 7.8 quake killed more than 600 people in Ecuador.

More than 6,000 others were severely injured.