A strong, 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the North Pacific Ocean near Ecuador on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The temblor happened at 6:44 a.m. Ecuador time about 12 miles northeast of Esmeraldas,

The quake damaged homes and public buildings, and caused widespread power cuts.

A strong 6.3 earthquake off Ecuador's Pacific coast has shaken the northern part of the country Friday, with some initial reports of some damages to houses.