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Japan and Ecuador count cost of earthquakes

US catastrophe modeller AIR Worldwide estimates industry insured losses to properties from the April 16 earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture will be $US1.7-$US2.9 billion ($2.2-$3.7 billion).

The magnitude-7 quake followed a magnitude-6.2 April 14 “foreshock”.

The death toll stands at 58 and more than 900 people have been injured.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency estimates more than 3900 residences and 120 non-residential buildings were damaged or destroyed.

AIR Worldwide estimates industry insured losses from the magnitude-7.8 quake that struck Ecuador’s central coast on April 16 will be $US325-$US850 million ($417 million to $1.09 billion).

Ecuador’s Secretariat for Risk Management says 570 people were killed and more than 4600 injured. More than 1100 buildings were destroyed and more than 800 damaged.

Japan and Ecuador are on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which covers coasts lining the Pacific Ocean, but scientists say the quakes were not related.