Quito_ Classes are resumed today in Manabi and Esmeraldas, Ecuador provinces affected by two strong aftershocks of the earthquake in the coastal area of the South American country about three months ago, Prensa Latina reported.

Only a dozen schools of Esmeralda, where the epicenter of the tremors was recorded, will remain closed, according to Augusto Espinosa, Minister of Education of the Andean nation.

On Sunday night two strong aftershocks of last April 16 shook several Ecuadorian provinces with magnitudes of 5.9 and 6.2 degrees on the Richter scale.

Although Manabí and Esmeraldas were the most affected, the tremors were also felt in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Azuay, Canar, Tungurahua, Bolívar and Pichincha, where Quito,the capital, is located.

As a result, the Ministry of Education determined to suspend the lessons yesterday to assess the state of the infrastructure of schools.

Since Monday morning, the president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa traveled to Esmeraldas and toured the affected areas, the provisional Education Center, hostels, as well as the land where housing for the homeless will be built.

A total of 115 people were treated for nervous breakdowns, multiple injuries and minor injuries as a result of the aftershocks, while a woman died of a heart attack.

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