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Ecuador earthquake: death toll rises after 7.8-magnitude quake - latest developments Ecuador earthquake: death toll rises following 7.8-magnitude quake - latest developments
(35 minutes later)
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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
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Sunday 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.
He said he was struggling to communicate with members of his family and the facade of his two story 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.
“There are villages that are totally devastated,” Pedernales’ major 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 4-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 4-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 vice president Jorge Glas will soon arrive.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 vice president Jorge Glas will soon arrive.
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As dawn breaks in Ecuador, vice president Jorge Glas is on his way to Manta, a city in Ecuador’s Manabí province which was badly affected by the quake.As dawn breaks in Ecuador, vice president Jorge Glas is on his way to Manta, a city in Ecuador’s Manabí province which 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.
12.40pm BST12.40pm BST
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Death toll near doubles - 142 dead, 588 injured says vice president 77 dead, 588 injured says vice president
Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas has told a press conference at least 142 people have been killed and 588 injured as a result of the earthquake, local media are reporting. 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 new toll almost doubles the previous figure given by authorities a few hours ago, which was 77. More than 260 buildings have also been destroyed, the vice president said. 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.
Glas, who is leading the response in the absence of president Rafael Correa, said the government had activated a $300m emergency fun 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 fun 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.
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In an address in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis has offered prayers for the people of Ecuador affected by the violent earthquake overnight, as well as the victims in Japan on Friday.
May the help of God and of their brothers give them strength and support.
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Ecuador's 7.1 earthquake - what we know so far
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EU foreign affairs representative Federica Mogherini and European commissioner for humanitarian aid Christos Stylianides have released a joint statement saying they are currently analysing what support and expertise could be offered.
Joint statement w/ @FedericaMog on #EcuadorEarthquake EU stands in full solidarity with people & govt of #Ecuador https://t.co/bJmmLQm2SV
Ecuador has been struck by a deadly earthquake causing multiple casualties. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends and all those affected.
The European Union stands in full solidarity with the people and authorities of Ecuador at this difficult time.
The European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated following a request by the United Nations to provide assessment expertise.
Participating states in the mechanism are analysing the kind of support and teams to offer.
We stand by the first responders who are doing a heroic job to save lives under very difficult conditions.
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This distressing video shows residents and emergency workers helping to pull a crushed car with passengers inside, from underneath a fallen bridge, in the coastal city of Guayaquil. One man was killed in the incident and another person was seriously injured.
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Ecuador's earthquake 'six times stronger than Saturday's quake'
Ecuador’s earthquake has been described as six times stronger than the one which hit Japan a day previously, in which more than 30 people died, releasing 20 times as much energy.
David Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at The Open University, northeast of London, said about 20 magnitude-7 earthquakes occur every year across the globe.
There is no causal relationship between the earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan.
Rothery told AP the quake in Ecuador began deeper underground than the recent Japan quakes, but a greater loss of life could be attributed to Ecuador’s less stringent construction codes for buildings and bridges.
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The Red Cross in Ecuador has been tweeting the latest pictures as its volunteer scramble to treat earthquake victims on the streets.
#EarthquakeEcuador Red Cross volunteers support rescue operations and first aid in areas affected by earthquake pic.twitter.com/tPN84Fy5Xr
#EcuadorEarthquake Earthquake Ecuadorian Red Cross teams deployed to the epicentre. pic.twitter.com/ERURlHLUyv
#EcuadorQuake Rescue crews and RedCross paramedics are heading to more remote areas where severe damage was reported pic.twitter.com/4hXnF6Tm5U
11.13am BST
11:13
Landslides affecting rescue access to remote villages close to epicentre
Fears are growing for residents in the more remote regions around the epicentre of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake.
The fishing villages and tourist regions at the heart of where the disaster struck are sparsely populated, but now authorities in Ecuador say landslides are making it difficult for emergency workers to reach the towns hardest hit.
10.49am BST
10:49
Latin American and world leaders, including the UK’s David Cameron have been tweeting words of sympathy and solidarity over the past few hours.
PM: Tragic news from #Ecuador. My thoughts with all those affected by the terrible earthquake. The UK will offer any support it can.
Enrique Peña Nieto, the president of Mexico tweeted:
My solidarity with the people and Government of Ecuador, for the appalling human and material losses caused by the earthquake.
Mi solidaridad con el pueblo y gobierno de Ecuador, por las lamentables pérdidas humanas y materiales causadas por el sismo.
Ernesto Samper, secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), said:
My solidarity with the victims of the earthquake that shook Ecuador tonight.
Mi solidaridad con las víctimas y con @MashiRafael del sismo q sacudió a Ecuador esta noche. Mucha calma y todo mi apoyo!!!!
Juan Manuel Santos, president of Colombia, tweeted an emergency hotline for Colombians in its southern neighbour:
All our solidarity with Ecuador after the earthquake.
Toda nuestra solidaridad con Ecuador tras sismo @MashiRafael. Cancilleria habilitó línea 01800010410 para asistencia a colombianos
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10:39
Ecuador’s earthquake is the second of three successive earthquakes to hit Pacific coasts over the past few days.
Tonga, which has been struck by a 6.1-magnitude earthquake in the past few hours, is, along with Japan and Ecuador, on the arc of volcanic and earthquake activity known as the “ring of fire” around the Pacific Ocean.
A 7.3-magnitude tremor struck Japan on Saturday morning, killing at least 32 people, injuring about 1,000 more and causing widespread damage to houses, roads and bridges. It was the second major quake to hit Kumamoto province on the island of Kyushu in just over 24 hours. The first, late on Thursday, killed nine people.
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