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Ecuador earthquake: death toll triples to 233 following 7.8-magnitude quake - latest developments Ecuador earthquake: death toll triples to 233 following 7.8-magnitude quake - latest developments
(about 1 hour later)
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Death toll rises to 235
Ecuador’s vice president Jorge Glas says the death toll has now risen to 235 people.
In a press conference, he asked people to remain calm and said efforts were under way to restore electricity.
Inicia rueda de prensa por parte del Vicepresidente Jorge Glas Espinel #SismoEcuador, por canal 48-49 pic.twitter.com/ZzUBDFVJGH
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Some relief for Ecuadorians as the country’s president indicates there is no tsunami warning.
IMPORTANTE información https://t.co/Tr1vURAjht
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SummarySummary
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Death toll rises to 233Death toll rises to 233
Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa, returning from a summit in Italy, says the death toll from Saturday night’s quake has more than tripled since the last official announcement - now 233 people.Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa, returning from a summit in Italy, says the death toll from Saturday night’s quake has more than tripled since the last official announcement - now 233 people.
Cifra oficial de fallecidos sube a 233. Barrio Tarqui de Manta muy afectado. Pedernales destruido. Vicepresidente se dirige a Portoviejo...Cifra oficial de fallecidos sube a 233. Barrio Tarqui de Manta muy afectado. Pedernales destruido. Vicepresidente se dirige a Portoviejo...
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Our graphics team have put together this map showing the area in the Pacific Ocean basin known as the Ring of Fire, for its significant earthquake and volcanic activity. It’s not actually a ring, it’s a 40,000-kilometre horseshoe of seismic activity.Our graphics team have put together this map showing the area in the Pacific Ocean basin known as the Ring of Fire, for its significant earthquake and volcanic activity. It’s not actually a ring, it’s a 40,000-kilometre horseshoe of seismic activity.
Also known as the Circum- Pacific belt, around 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur in this region, the next more active is the Alpide belt from the Mediterranean toward Turkey and Iran, which produces 5-6%.Also known as the Circum- Pacific belt, around 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur in this region, the next more active is the Alpide belt from the Mediterranean toward Turkey and Iran, which produces 5-6%.
Ecuador sits on the edge between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, the plates which make up the Earth surface. The plates are not fixed, moving on top of a layer of solid and molten rock, known as the Earth’s mantle.Ecuador sits on the edge between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, the plates which make up the Earth surface. The plates are not fixed, moving on top of a layer of solid and molten rock, known as the Earth’s mantle.
They move at roughly the rate of 65mm a year but the grinding of the plates against each other causes seismic activity, as the Nazca plate under the Pacific ocean slides beneath the land mass of South America (known as subduction).They move at roughly the rate of 65mm a year but the grinding of the plates against each other causes seismic activity, as the Nazca plate under the Pacific ocean slides beneath the land mass of South America (known as subduction).
The activity has led, over many millions of years, to the creation of the Andes mountains amongst other natural wonders as well as some of the most disastrous earthquakes in history.The activity has led, over many millions of years, to the creation of the Andes mountains amongst other natural wonders as well as some of the most disastrous earthquakes in history.
The Western coast of the US and Canada, as well as South American countries on the Pacific coast are affected by activity in the Ring of Fire, as well as Japan and other Pacific islands like Tonga, New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia.The Western coast of the US and Canada, as well as South American countries on the Pacific coast are affected by activity in the Ring of Fire, as well as Japan and other Pacific islands like Tonga, New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
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Here are the latest pictures of morning in Manta, close to the epicentre of the earthquake.Here are the latest pictures of morning in Manta, close to the epicentre of the earthquake.
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Vice president Jorge Glas is in Manta now, meeting local residents and viewing the scale of the destruction.Vice president Jorge Glas is in Manta now, meeting local residents and viewing the scale of the destruction.
Vicepresidente @JorgeGlas recorre las calles de Manta y se solidariza con sus habitantes #SismoEcuador pic.twitter.com/PxeOKnIc98Vicepresidente @JorgeGlas recorre las calles de Manta y se solidariza con sus habitantes #SismoEcuador pic.twitter.com/PxeOKnIc98
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Strong aftershocks are still taking place in Perdenales, more than 130 since the quake.Strong aftershocks are still taking place in Perdenales, more than 130 since the quake.
Oxfam has launched an appeal as it prepares to send teams of aid workers to the area.Oxfam has launched an appeal as it prepares to send teams of aid workers to the area.
#Ecuador earthquake: We're checking with contacts on the ground in to see where we can support the official govt response. Updates to follow#Ecuador earthquake: We're checking with contacts on the ground in to see where we can support the official govt response. Updates to follow
A spokesman said:A spokesman said:
Oxfam is responding to a major earthquake off the coast of Ecuador. We will shortly be sending teams to the area to assess the extent of damage and how Oxfam can best assist the Government response.Oxfam is responding to a major earthquake off the coast of Ecuador. We will shortly be sending teams to the area to assess the extent of damage and how Oxfam can best assist the Government response.
This was a very strong earthquake that has already claimed dozens of lives. With strong aftershocks still going on and initial reports of severe damage to buildings and infrastructure, there is not a moment to waste.This was a very strong earthquake that has already claimed dozens of lives. With strong aftershocks still going on and initial reports of severe damage to buildings and infrastructure, there is not a moment to waste.
Please give what you can to help to reach the people affected by this emergency. Your donation could save lives.Please give what you can to help to reach the people affected by this emergency. Your donation could save lives.
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Rainfall could hamper rescue efforts in the coming days, forecasters warn.Rainfall could hamper rescue efforts in the coming days, forecasters warn.
#Ecuador. Heavy showers in the vicinity could hamper rescue efforts over the next few days. JW pic.twitter.com/xPeal9JkOD#Ecuador. Heavy showers in the vicinity could hamper rescue efforts over the next few days. JW pic.twitter.com/xPeal9JkOD
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Sunday morning in Ecuador - how things standSunday morning in Ecuador - how things stand
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Alberto Reynas, 58, was fishing off the coast of Pedernales when giant waves violently rocked his boat, he told AP.Alberto Reynas, 58, was fishing off the coast of Pedernales when giant waves violently rocked his boat, he told AP.
He said he was struggling to communicate with members of his family and the facade of his two-storey home had fallen off, forcing him to sleep outdoors with neighbours.He said he was struggling to communicate with members of his family and the facade of his two-storey home had fallen off, forcing him to sleep outdoors with neighbours.
It felt the same on sea as it did on land. It’s pure sadness. Everything is destroyed.It felt the same on sea as it did on land. It’s pure sadness. Everything is destroyed.
“There are villages that are totally devastated,” Pedernales’ mayor, Gabriel Alcivar, said in a radio interview, adding that “dozens and dozens” had died. “What happened here in Pedernales is catastrophic.”“There are villages that are totally devastated,” Pedernales’ mayor, Gabriel Alcivar, said in a radio interview, adding that “dozens and dozens” had died. “What happened here in Pedernales is catastrophic.”
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Adriana Villacís, a nurse who was in a supermarket with her husband and four-year-old son realised something was wrong when the groceries began to fall to the floor, she told the New York Times. Her son was sick with shock, she said.Adriana Villacís, a nurse who was in a supermarket with her husband and four-year-old son realised something was wrong when the groceries began to fall to the floor, she told the New York Times. Her son was sick with shock, she said.
The first thing I did was protect my son and look for the exit, but a part of the roof fell, and I was frozen.The first thing I did was protect my son and look for the exit, but a part of the roof fell, and I was frozen.
Thank God we weren’t physically harmed, but the shock caused my child to vomit.Thank God we weren’t physically harmed, but the shock caused my child to vomit.
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These are some of the first pictures in the Sunday morning light after the quake, taken in Manta, close to the heart of the disaster and the town where the vice-president, Jorge Glas, will soon visit.These are some of the first pictures in the Sunday morning light after the quake, taken in Manta, close to the heart of the disaster and the town where the vice-president, Jorge Glas, will soon visit.
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As dawn breaks in Ecuador, the vice-president, Jorge Glas, is on his way to Manta, a city in Ecuador’s Manabí province that was badly affected by the quake.As dawn breaks in Ecuador, the vice-president, Jorge Glas, is on his way to Manta, a city in Ecuador’s Manabí province that was badly affected by the quake.
He tweets:He tweets:
Right now we are en route to Manta to analyse the situation in Manabí and co-ordinate the assistance in the territory.Right now we are en route to Manta to analyse the situation in Manabí and co-ordinate the assistance in the territory.
En este momento despegamos rumbo a Manta a analizar la situación en Manabí y coordinar ayuda en territorio.En este momento despegamos rumbo a Manta a analizar la situación en Manabí y coordinar ayuda en territorio.
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77 dead, 588 injured says vice president77 dead, 588 injured says vice president
The Ecuadorian vice-president, Jorge Glas, has told a press conference at least 77 people have been killed and 588 injured as a result of the earthquake, local media are reporting.The Ecuadorian vice-president, Jorge Glas, has told a press conference at least 77 people have been killed and 588 injured as a result of the earthquake, local media are reporting.
UPDATE Numerous local outlets reported a death toll of 142, quoting the vice-president, but that now appears to have been an error, according to teleSUR.UPDATE Numerous local outlets reported a death toll of 142, quoting the vice-president, but that now appears to have been an error, according to teleSUR.
More than 260 buildings have also been destroyed, the vice-president said.More than 260 buildings have also been destroyed, the vice-president said.
Glas, who is leading the response in the absence of president Rafael Correa, said the government had activated a $300m emergency fund to help victims and rescue efforts.Glas, who is leading the response in the absence of president Rafael Correa, said the government had activated a $300m emergency fund to help victims and rescue efforts.
Mobile phone operators have suspended charges for text messages to make it easier for people to contact loved ones.Mobile phone operators have suspended charges for text messages to make it easier for people to contact loved ones.
He also confirmed international aid was coming from Europe, Mexico and Venezuela.He also confirmed international aid was coming from Europe, Mexico and Venezuela.
"Está por llegar ayuda internacional de México,Venezuela y Europa" @JorgeGlas #SismoEcuador"Está por llegar ayuda internacional de México,Venezuela y Europa" @JorgeGlas #SismoEcuador
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An Ecuadorian journalist has been tweeting pictures of the landslides on the roads near the epicentre of the quake. Authorities have said they are having difficulty reaching some of the more remote areas close to the heart of the impact, and bringing in machinery for rescue efforts.An Ecuadorian journalist has been tweeting pictures of the landslides on the roads near the epicentre of the quake. Authorities have said they are having difficulty reaching some of the more remote areas close to the heart of the impact, and bringing in machinery for rescue efforts.
An example of one of the many landslides affecting roads throughout Ecuador, outside town of Pilaló pic.twitter.com/XKxQ9F23xaAn example of one of the many landslides affecting roads throughout Ecuador, outside town of Pilaló pic.twitter.com/XKxQ9F23xa
Another example of damaged roads here in Ecuador post earthquake pic.twitter.com/3SHgesGgHBAnother example of damaged roads here in Ecuador post earthquake pic.twitter.com/3SHgesGgHB
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The UK Foreign Office has issued this travel advice for Ecuador. Its website also gives out numbers for people concerned about family members.The UK Foreign Office has issued this travel advice for Ecuador. Its website also gives out numbers for people concerned about family members.
If you are in Ecuador you are advised to follow the advice of the Ecuadorean National Risk Control Agency and the Seismic Monitoring Agency.If you are in Ecuador you are advised to follow the advice of the Ecuadorean National Risk Control Agency and the Seismic Monitoring Agency.
The vice-president has declared a state of emergency in six provinces on the coast (Esmereldas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena, Guayas and Santo Domingo).The vice-president has declared a state of emergency in six provinces on the coast (Esmereldas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena, Guayas and Santo Domingo).
There are reports of fatalities in Portoviejo, Manta and Guayaquil. There are blackouts in many parts of the country and the coast.There are reports of fatalities in Portoviejo, Manta and Guayaquil. There are blackouts in many parts of the country and the coast.
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Simon Gordon, who lives in Guayaquil, has been speaking to the BBC about his experiences during the quake.Simon Gordon, who lives in Guayaquil, has been speaking to the BBC about his experiences during the quake.
I can tell you, that was an extremely scary experience. I live in Guayaquil and we got hit pretty hard. Cities around us have been affected so badly.I can tell you, that was an extremely scary experience. I live in Guayaquil and we got hit pretty hard. Cities around us have been affected so badly.
My first ever experience of an earthquake and I’m just relieved that my wife and family are all OK. RIP to all those who passed. What an absolute tragedy.My first ever experience of an earthquake and I’m just relieved that my wife and family are all OK. RIP to all those who passed. What an absolute tragedy.