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April 17th, 2016 
Awake Goy Over 200 casualties, massive destruction in Ecuador struck by 7.8 quake LIVE UPDATES
A rescue operation is underway in Ecuador after the South American nation was hit by its worst earthquake in decades, which saw over 200 people killed and hundreds injured, and left many others trapped under the debris.
On Saturday, the 7.8-magnitude quake struck off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, 170 kilometers northwest of the country’s capital, Quito, causing death and destruction in Manta, Portoviejo, Pedernales, Guayaquil and other coastal cities and villages.
The death toll has risen to 233, according to Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa.“The whole country is mobilized. Thanks to the whole world for solidarity,” he said on his Twitter.
Cifra oficial de fallecidos sube a 233. Barrio Tarqui de Manta muy afectado. Pedernales destruido. Vicepresidente se dirige a Portoviejo…
— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) 17 апреля 2016 г.
Correa, who had to abort his visit to Rome and urgently return to Ecuador, declared a state of emergency in six provinces.
“Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovered, and that’s what hurts the most,” the head of state stressed.
“There are people trapped in various places and we are starting rescue operations,” Ecuadorian Vice-President Jorge Glas said, as cited by Reuters.
“It’s very important that Ecuadoreans remain calm during this emergency,” the PM stressed later in Ecuador’s national crisis room.
Around 10,000 soldiers and 4,600 police officers were assigned to assist the rescue workers and maintain order.
Venezuela and Mexico are sending personnel and supplies to Ecuador as part of the international aid effort.
The footage from Manta showed survivors, including children, being taken from the rubble in a joint effort between rescuers and local residents.
Around 10,000 soldiers and 4,600 police officers were assigned to assist the rescue workers and maintain order.
Venezuela and Mexico are sending personnel and supplies to Ecuador as part of the international aid effort.
The footage from Manta showed survivors, including children, being taken from the rubble in a joint effort between rescuers and local residents.
Emergency shelters and portable hospitals have been set up for those affected by the biggest quake in the country since 1979.
The situation in the town, a tourist spot famous for its beaches, is now “catastrophic,” with looting breaking out amid the chaos, according Gabriel Alcivar, the mayor of Pedernales.
There were 135 aftershocks registered in the Pedernales area after Saturday’s quake, the Ecuadorian authorities said.
In Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, a bridge collapsed on a car, killing the driver. People spent the night on the streets in fear of aftershocks.
Residents in Quito told AP that they were “in panic” as six buildings had collapsed and power was down in several neighborhoods.
Towns near the epicenter were evacuated for several hours, as the authorities feared a tsunami might follow the quake.
READ MORE: 233 killed, national guard mobilised in Ecuador after powerful 7.8 quake
Japan was hit by two deadly earthquakes earlier this week, in which over 40 people died and more than 200 were injured.
However, the US Geological Survey said the Japanese and Ecuadorian quakes are unlikely connected, despite both countries being situated on the seismically active ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Pacific.
Source Article from https://www.rt.com/news/339972-ecuador-rescue-children-earthquake/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS
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