Ecuador earthquake toll at 272
posted on Apr 18, 2016 @ 12:25PM
As the pacific coast line of Ecuador was struck with a powerful earthquake of 7.8 magnitude, it has left the country shattered. The city of Portoviejo is thought to be worst hit by the disaster. Though the earthquake has hit the region at Saturday night, the aftershocks were still being experienced by the country. Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa has today confirmed the death toll to be 272, but has feared that the number could rise from the rubble.
More than 2000 people were being treated for their injuries. Even as the wreckage was being removed by the locals and the army, painful cries could be heard from the debris. The irregular and careless constructions in Ecuador seem to have doubled the earthquake devastation. As Ecuador relies mostly on the exports, its economy was already being hit by the oil crisis... and the present earthquake proved to be a final blow to the economy and to the people.