Image

Ecuador earthquake toll rises to 246

by IBNS 18 Apr 2016, 09:13 am

Quito, Ecuador, Apr 18 (IBNS): As a strong earthquake rocked western Ecuador on Saturday, the death toll has touched 246, reports said on Monday.

More than 1,500 people were injured in the mishap.


Hit by one of the most powerful earthquakes in decades, rescue operation is currently going on in the affected areas of the country.


The tremors of the earthquake were felt across Ecuador as well as in northern Peru and southern Colombia.

According to reports, a state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador's six worst-hit provinces.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre also issued warning for the nearby Pacific coastline.

"There is considerable (structural) damage in the area near the epicenter as well as points as far away as Guayaquil," Ecuador's Geophysical Office (IG) told media.