President Correa Confirms 233 As Ecuador’s Earthquake Death Toll

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, World News Sunday, April 17th, 2016

The death toll in late Saturday Ecuador earthquake has risen to 233.

Ecuador’s President, Rafael Correa confirmed the latest on casualty via his twitter handle, while flying back from a visit to Italy which he cut short to attend to the disaster.

About 10,000 troops and 3,500 police have been deployed to the affected areas, just as the rescue operations are still under way. Early death toll was put at 41.The 7.8 magnitude-quake was felt as far away as neighbouring Colombia.

Again, about 500 victims were injured in the quake, which was felt across the country.

While Helicopters and buses are ferrying troops north but being hampered by landslides, some Samaritans are using bare hands to bring out survivors.

Food and other essentials have been handed out as well as international aid coming from Venezuela and Mexico.

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Vice-President, Jorge Glas, has visited one of the worst hit cities, Manta; met a resident who pleaded for people trapped under rubble.

Widespread terrible damage has been confirmed with a bridge destroyed at the South Guayaquil about 300km (190 miles) away.