Ecuador’s Death Toll Continues To Rise After 7.8 Earthquake And Aftershocks

Ecuador’s death toll continues to rise after a devastating 7.8 earthquake. The South American nation has suffered more than 230 aftershocks since the earthquake struck Saturday evening, April 16, according to U. S. News and World Report. As of Monday, April 18, the death toll is currently at 350, according to BBC News. Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa admits that number is expected to rise as rescue teams dig through the rubble. Vice President Jorge Glas estimates at least 2,527 people have been injured; As more people are rescued, and more bodies are found, the casualty count is expected to climb. Hundreds of people are still missing and unaccounted for.

https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews/posts/10153552013927217

Rescue work continues, and more people are being found alive. President Correa cut short a state visit to Italy to return to Ecuador and supervise the tragic situation. His top priority is attempting to rescue victims who may be trapped under the rubble, injured and unable to escape.

“We’re finding signs of life in the rubble. We’re giving this priority. After, we’ll work to find and recover bodies.”

Rescue teams from other South American nations are rushing to help Ecuador. Venezuela, Columbia, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile have sent rescue crews, firefighters, medics, canine teams, and hazardous materials (hazmat) experts to assist. Search and rescue teams have also come from Mexico, Spain, and Switzerland. Charity donations and humanitarian aid are pouring in to Ecuador from all over the world.

President Correa has declared a state of emergency in six provinces: Manabi, Guayas, Santo Domingo, Galapagos, Los Rios, and Esmeraldas. Most of the deaths so far have been in the province of Manabi, Ecuador’s third most populous province. Portoviejo, the provincial capital, has been hit especially hard. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, thousands have been damaged. Thousands of people have been left homeless in Ecuador. Over a hundred prisoners have escaped from El Rodeo prison in Portoviejo. The majority of them are still at large, as law enforcement officials concentrate on rescue efforts. NBC News has reported many people, some homeless, some afraid to risk staying in partially-damaged homes as the aftershocks wreak more havoc, and some fearful of looters and escaped prisoners, sought temporary shelter on the airport runways.

“Seeking security from any unrest, about 400 residents of Portoviejo gathered Sunday night on the tarmac of the city’s former airport, where authorities handed out water, mattresses and food.”

The Ecuadorian government has sent 10,000 military troops and over 5,000 police officers to the afflicted areas to assist with rescue efforts and to maintain order. Broken bridges and ruined roads have hindered rescue attempts. Getting supplies and rescue crews to the worst-hit areas in Ecuador has been difficult.

Ricardo Peñaherrera of Ecuador’s national emergency management office lamented the difficulties with logistics and communication.

“The lack of water and communication remains a big problem. Many highways are in bad shape, especially in the mountainous area,” Peñaherrera told CNN.

The Red Cross estimates that 3,000 to 5,000 people in Ecuador will need temporary housing after their homes were destroyed or rendered unsafe. Because of the aftershocks, which still continue, many buildings which are damaged but still standing are not safe to use. The aftershocks have ranged from 3.5 to 6.1 on the Richter scale, making the aftershocks as big as some earthquakes. The main earthquake on Saturday was worse the the 1811 New Madrid earthquake that made the Mississippi River flow backwards and created Tennessee’s Reelfoot Lake, and far worse than the Northridge earthquake in 1994. It was slightly larger than the Kuramoto earthquake in Japan last week.

#EcuadorEarthquake
?You can donate to the #RedCross..
Prayers and Love. #Ecuador. https://t.co/HV4leKkeXu pic.twitter.com/9eJCcPtaff

— Debs???#PeaceDay (@PortlandRose143) April 17, 2016

The earthquake is predicted to have a devastating effect on Ecuador’s economy. Thousands of people have been left homeless. Roads, bridges, businesses, hospitals, and schools are destroyed. Tourism and exports are major parts of the economy of the six provinces hardest hit by the earthquake. The prices of some Ecuadorian products (cocoa, bananas, fish, cut flowers, and petroleum) may go up temporarily as ports are unable to export goods.

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador told reporters early Monday morning the death toll would “surely rise, and in a considerable way.”

[Image via Shutterstock]