Hundreds dead after powerful earthquake hits Ecuador

Jamie Bullen17 April 2016

At least 233 people are confirmed dead after a powerful earthquake hit Ecuador.

The 7.8 magnitude quake struck off the country’s Pacific coast and was felt for hundreds of miles away from the epicentre.

On Sunday, Vice President Jorge Glas said 77 people had died while 578 people had been injured.

However, President Rafael Correa said the death toll had risen to 233.

A state of emergency has been declared in six provinces following the worst earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades.

People stand on the debris of a building after an earthquake struck off the Pacific coast in Manta
Reuters
Destruction: Police look at a car crushed under a collapsed bridge in Guayaquil
Jeff Castro/AP

President Rafael Correa declared a national emergency and cut short a trip to the Vatican to co-ordinate the rescue efforts.

The National Guard has also been mobilised to help rescue teams.

The areas worst affected include tourist areas Pedernales and nearby Cojimies but the impact shook buildings as far as the capital Quito and the large commercial city of Guayaquil.

Pedernales' mayor, Gabriel Alcivar, said in a radio interview. "What happened here in Pedernales is catastrophic.

Powerful: The quake is the worst to hit the country since 1979 when 600 people were killed
Reuters

“There are villages that are totally devastated.”

Residents are reportedly frightened to leave their homes after the quake triggered more than 50 aftershocks.

Ramon Solorzano, 46, a car parts merchant in Manta, said: “Most people are out in the streets with backpacks on, heading for higher ground.

"The streets are cracked. The power is out and phones are down."

The Ecuadorian Government described it as the worst earthquake in the country since 1979, when 600 people were killed and 20,000 injured, according to the United States Geological Survey.

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