Japan’s earthquake Saturday morning was followed-up by a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake thousands of miles away in Ecuador. Reports say the horrifying Ecuador earthquake had 135 aftershocks that have ravaged coastal cities, and have made rescues difficult. After initial reports stated dozens dead with hundred injured, the death toll has now risen to 238, with countless injured.
The absolute destruction of some towns have left authorities with an overwhelming task of finding and rescuing survivors without tools or equipment ahead of them. Gabriel Alcivar, mayor of Pedernales, reveals how his town of 40,000 people likely received the most focused damage:
“We’re trying to do the most we can, but there’s almost nothing we can do. This wasn’t just a house that collapsed. It was an entire town.”
Horrifying videos of the event as it happened are making their way to Twitter. This was the moment the earthquake began inside of a shopping center.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHX6KSyZCVU
The moment the Ecuador earthquake struck.
At least 77 people were killed and 500 injured.https://t.co/beVIE4P85Q https://t.co/a4YEiNgDo1— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 17, 2016
The destruction is widespread, with rescue workers still unable to reach people trapped below the rubble.
“We hear screaming all through the night. There are humans trapped below the terrace. Babies. We need rescuers. But nobody has arrived so far.”
Drone footage of a collapsed bridge can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FA02uCcE8A
At 7.8, this is one of the worst earthquakes in modern memory, and will likely end up being one of the hardest-hitting earthquakes of all-time, with the top 17 registering at 8.5 and above.
(Via Mashable)