More than 240 people have died in the worst earthquake to hit the South American nation of Ecuador since 1979.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific coast on Saturday and was reportedly felt across the nation of 16 million people. Along with the 246 reportedly killed, more than 2,500 people were reported injured with coastal areas the worst-affected. Dozens of aftershocks were being felt.
President Rafael Correa cut short a trip to Italy to return home where a state of emergency had been declared.
José Luis Ochoa, national director of World Vision in Ecuador – one of numerous aid agencies already responding in the wake of the quake, said it was “a truly terrifying event felt across the country”.
Meanwhile, the search for survivors continued in Japan after a second earthquake struck the Pacific island nation on Saturday. More than 40 people have been killed, including nine who died after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Thursday, and more than 30 who died after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck shortly before 1.30am on Saturday.
Hundreds have been injured in the quakes and dozens are still feared buried. Thousands have been left homeless.
