The magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck the coastal areas of Ecuador continues to be proven as a devastating one, as it is revealed that the death toll has risen to 272.
In an announcement Sunday night, President Rafael Correa confirmed the number of deaths. The chief executive added that the numbers are expected to rise, as more rubble are discovered and checked out. The government has also already declared a state of emergency. The president added, "The immediate priority is to rescue people in the rubble. Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovered, and that's what hurts the most."
The provinces of Esmeraldas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena, Guayas and Santo Domingo are now in state of emergency.
Prior to the announcement, Vice-President Jorge Glas estimates that at least 2,527 people are listed as injured. He added that the earthquake is the strongest seismic event in Ecuador since 1979. Utilizing the different government forces, Glas mentioned that 10,000 military troops and 3,500 police officers are dispatched to the affected areas. Meanwhile, at least $600 million in credit is allotted to the emergency.
ABC News published a drone video outlining the aftermath of the earthquake, showing how hard the areas of the country were hit. While the footage showed a collapsed bridge with rescuers already working on the area, the video showed just a fraction of the extensive damage caused by the disaster.
According to NBC News, while there is yet a final count of how extensive the damage is to the country, it is already known that the disaster has destroyed at least 370 buildings, while more than 150 buildings and at least 26 schools are affected.
"We have buildings at three to four stories high just, you know, pancake effect, and they are all in the basement now," the news website quoted resident Juan Fernando Rojas.
