Death toll near doubles - 142 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.
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.
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.
Updated at 12.47pm BST
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23m ago 12:34
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.
— Lucho_teleSUR (@Lucho_teleSUR)
April 17, 2016
An example of one of the many landslides affecting roads throughout Ecuador, outside town of Pilaló pic.twitter.com/XKxQ9F23xa
— Lucho_teleSUR (@Lucho_teleSUR)
April 17, 2016
Another example of damaged roads here in Ecuador post earthquake pic.twitter.com/3SHgesGgHB
Updated at 12.34pm BST
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24m ago 12:32
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.
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.
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28m ago 12:28
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.
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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29m ago 12:27
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.
Pope Francis during the Regina Coeli prayer in the Saint Peter’s square
Pope Francis during the Regina Coeli prayer in the Saint Peter’s square Photograph: Giorgio Onorati/EPA
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41m ago 12:15
Ecuador's 7.1 earthquake - what we know so far
At least 77 people have been killed and more than 570 people are believed to have been injured in the quake, the most powerful in decade.
The earthquake struck at about 8pm local time at a depth of 12.4 miles (20km).
At least 50 aftershocks have followed, one as strong as six on the Richter scale.
President Rafael Correa has declared a national emergency and urged the country’s 16 million people to stay calm. He has cut short a visit to Italy and the Vatican to return to Ecuador and is expected to arrive on Sunday afternoon, local time.
A residents stands next to a collapsed building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region, in the town of Pedernales, Ecuador
A residents stands next to a collapsed building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region, in the town of Pedernales, Ecuador Photograph: Jose Jacome/EPA
10,000 troops have been deployed to the coastal areas, with specialist earthquake rescue teams coming in from Colombia and Mexico.
About 3,500 extra national police officers have been sent to the towns of Manabí, Esmeraldas and Guayas y Santa Elena, and 500 firefighters have been sent to Manabi and Pedernales.
Residents who left coastal towns because of the risk of a tsunami have been told they can return home. The epicentre of the quake, around the coast, is sparsely populated, and is mainly tourist beaches and fishing villages.
A rescue service members walks through debris of a building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region
A rescue service members walks through debris of a building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region Photograph: Jose Jacome/EPA
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said the “tsunami threat from this earthquake has now mostly passed”.
Fears are growing for residents in the more remote regions around the epicentre of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake. Authorities in Ecuador say landslides are making it difficult for emergency workers to reach the towns hardest hit.
More than 6,000 miles across the Pacific, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck south-east of the Pacific island nation of Tonga. Both quakes follow a 7.3-magnitude tremor that struck Japan’s Kumamoto province early on Saturday, killing at least 32 people, injuring about 1,000 and causing widespread damage, in the second major quake to hit the island of Kyushu in just over 24 hours. The first, late on Thursday, killed nine.
Ecuador’s earthquake has been described as six times stronger than the one which hit Japan a day previously, releasing 20 times as much energy.
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1h ago 11:46
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.
— Christos Stylianides (@StylianidesEU)
April 17, 2016
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.
Updated at 11.46am BST
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1h ago 11:34
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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Residents and emergency workers helping to pull a car from under a collapsed bridge
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2h ago 11:23
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.
Updated at 11.43am BST
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2h ago 11:21
Rescue workers stand before a destroyed car after the collapse of a bridge in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Rescue workers stand before a destroyed car after the collapse of a bridge in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Photograph: Marcos Pin Mendez/AFP/Getty Images
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2h ago 11:16
The Red Cross in Ecuador has been tweeting the latest pictures as its volunteer scramble to treat earthquake victims on the streets.
— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador)
April 17, 2016
#EarthquakeEcuador Red Cross volunteers support rescue operations and first aid in areas affected by earthquake pic.twitter.com/tPN84Fy5Xr
— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador)
April 17, 2016
#EcuadorEarthquake Earthquake Ecuadorian Red Cross teams deployed to the epicentre. pic.twitter.com/ERURlHLUyv
— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador)
April 17, 2016
#EcuadorQuake Rescue crews and RedCross paramedics are heading to more remote areas where severe damage was reported pic.twitter.com/4hXnF6Tm5U
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2h ago 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.
12 main roads have been closed in total
A landslide has shut down one road in Cotopaxi and a landslide warning has been issued for a road in Zamora Chinchipe.
Five helicopters and over 80 buses are ferrying 4,000 police to the quake zone.
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2h ago 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.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov)
April 17, 2016
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.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN)
April 17, 2016
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.
— Ernesto Samper (@ernestosamperp)
April 17, 2016
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.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos)
April 17, 2016
Toda nuestra solidaridad con Ecuador tras sismo @MashiRafael. Cancilleria habilitó línea 01800010410 para asistencia a colombianos
Updated at 12.37pm BST
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2h ago 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.
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.
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.
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.
Updated at 12.47pm BST
Google plus
23m ago 12:34
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.
— Lucho_teleSUR (@Lucho_teleSUR)
April 17, 2016
An example of one of the many landslides affecting roads throughout Ecuador, outside town of Pilaló pic.twitter.com/XKxQ9F23xa
— Lucho_teleSUR (@Lucho_teleSUR)
April 17, 2016
Another example of damaged roads here in Ecuador post earthquake pic.twitter.com/3SHgesGgHB
Updated at 12.34pm BST
Google plus
24m ago 12:32
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.
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.
Google plus
28m ago 12:28
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.
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.
Google plus
29m ago 12:27
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.
Pope Francis during the Regina Coeli prayer in the Saint Peter’s square
Pope Francis during the Regina Coeli prayer in the Saint Peter’s square Photograph: Giorgio Onorati/EPA
Google plus
41m ago 12:15
Ecuador's 7.1 earthquake - what we know so far
At least 77 people have been killed and more than 570 people are believed to have been injured in the quake, the most powerful in decade.
The earthquake struck at about 8pm local time at a depth of 12.4 miles (20km).
At least 50 aftershocks have followed, one as strong as six on the Richter scale.
President Rafael Correa has declared a national emergency and urged the country’s 16 million people to stay calm. He has cut short a visit to Italy and the Vatican to return to Ecuador and is expected to arrive on Sunday afternoon, local time.
A residents stands next to a collapsed building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region, in the town of Pedernales, Ecuador
A residents stands next to a collapsed building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region, in the town of Pedernales, Ecuador Photograph: Jose Jacome/EPA
10,000 troops have been deployed to the coastal areas, with specialist earthquake rescue teams coming in from Colombia and Mexico.
About 3,500 extra national police officers have been sent to the towns of Manabí, Esmeraldas and Guayas y Santa Elena, and 500 firefighters have been sent to Manabi and Pedernales.
Residents who left coastal towns because of the risk of a tsunami have been told they can return home. The epicentre of the quake, around the coast, is sparsely populated, and is mainly tourist beaches and fishing villages.
A rescue service members walks through debris of a building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region
A rescue service members walks through debris of a building after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuadoran northern coastal region Photograph: Jose Jacome/EPA
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said the “tsunami threat from this earthquake has now mostly passed”.
Fears are growing for residents in the more remote regions around the epicentre of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake. Authorities in Ecuador say landslides are making it difficult for emergency workers to reach the towns hardest hit.
More than 6,000 miles across the Pacific, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck south-east of the Pacific island nation of Tonga. Both quakes follow a 7.3-magnitude tremor that struck Japan’s Kumamoto province early on Saturday, killing at least 32 people, injuring about 1,000 and causing widespread damage, in the second major quake to hit the island of Kyushu in just over 24 hours. The first, late on Thursday, killed nine.
Ecuador’s earthquake has been described as six times stronger than the one which hit Japan a day previously, releasing 20 times as much energy.
Google plus
1h ago 11:46
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.
— Christos Stylianides (@StylianidesEU)
April 17, 2016
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.
Updated at 11.46am BST
Google plus
1h ago 11:34
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.
Mute
Current Time 0:00
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Duration Time 0:46
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
Residents and emergency workers helping to pull a car from under a collapsed bridge
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2h ago 11:23
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.
Updated at 11.43am BST
Google plus
2h ago 11:21
Rescue workers stand before a destroyed car after the collapse of a bridge in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Rescue workers stand before a destroyed car after the collapse of a bridge in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Photograph: Marcos Pin Mendez/AFP/Getty Images
Google plus
2h ago 11:16
The Red Cross in Ecuador has been tweeting the latest pictures as its volunteer scramble to treat earthquake victims on the streets.
— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador)
April 17, 2016
#EarthquakeEcuador Red Cross volunteers support rescue operations and first aid in areas affected by earthquake pic.twitter.com/tPN84Fy5Xr
— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador)
April 17, 2016
#EcuadorEarthquake Earthquake Ecuadorian Red Cross teams deployed to the epicentre. pic.twitter.com/ERURlHLUyv
— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador)
April 17, 2016
#EcuadorQuake Rescue crews and RedCross paramedics are heading to more remote areas where severe damage was reported pic.twitter.com/4hXnF6Tm5U
Google plus
2h ago 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.
12 main roads have been closed in total
A landslide has shut down one road in Cotopaxi and a landslide warning has been issued for a road in Zamora Chinchipe.
Five helicopters and over 80 buses are ferrying 4,000 police to the quake zone.
Google plus
2h ago 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.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov)
April 17, 2016
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.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN)
April 17, 2016
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.
— Ernesto Samper (@ernestosamperp)
April 17, 2016
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.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos)
April 17, 2016
Toda nuestra solidaridad con Ecuador tras sismo @MashiRafael. Cancilleria habilitó línea 01800010410 para asistencia a colombianos
Updated at 12.37pm BST
Google plus
2h ago 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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