The Daily Journalist.
Ecuador Saturday night shook with an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale that struck the northern coastal region and left hundreds killed and thousands injured. The latest report has raised the death toll to 350 and 2,068 injured. The Government has declared a state of emergency. The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, said that reconstruction will cost millions of dollars.
The number of deaths continues to increase as the hours pass. The vice-president, Jorge Glas, remarked that the death toll could increase because of the damage caused in the epicenter area. In an appearance before the media, Glas also said that the situation is particularly “complex” in the seaside resort of Pedernales, where rescue teams and assistance has been difficult to access .
Most of the dead were in the area of the earthquake’s epicenter — an eminently tourist area, both filled with Ecuadorians and tourists, known for its beaches and its gastronomy, and the humpback whales during several months a year. Manabi is the third province in economic importance in Ecuador and there is Manta, one of the biggest ports in the country.
The authorities do not rule out that the death toll could rise, since, for example, in Pedernales, its mayor, Gabriel Alcivar, reported that more than 30 hotels had been destroyed and feared that many of its customers had been trapped. In addition, also said the destruction of the city was evidently harsh, so he called for national authorities to send rescue teams and food for those without home.
Hours after the earthquake, the government decreed emergency for the coastal provinces: Esmeraldas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena, Guayas and Santo Domingo and the state of emergency for the whole country. Because of that decision, it ordered 4,600 police and 10,000 military come to the areas of greatest devastation. The first groups came in late Saturday to help rescue victims and provide security to the allegations that were made through social networks and instant messaging systems on attempts of looting especially in areas of Manabi, where property losses were not total. The security forces also controlled markets and supermarkets, to ensure the supply of food and water, as well as to mark routes that would leave cities like Portoviejo — whose center was badly affected.
President Rafael Correa, who was visiting the Vatican, returned to the country. His first messages through their own social network Twitter, were to ask encouragement to the population. His arrival was scheduled for late afternoon. Although they not yet accounted for the damage, its estimated to be several billion dollars. The most important infrastructure works (refinery, hydroelectric power plants, multipurpose) suffer no harm.
The help offers and international solidarity messages were immediate. The authorities especially requested rescue personnel and tents due to the rainy season, another difficulty for the affected. In Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and Ibarra, through social networks, collections of food and clothing were organized while the authorities constantly reminded that Ecuadorians have emergency backpacks ready, before any aftershock.
The European Union (EU) has also shown solidarity. “Ecuador has been hit by a deadly earthquake that has caused many victims. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, as well as with all those affected,” he expressed the head of EU diplomacy, Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Humanitarian Aid Christos Stylianides.
The Spanish Government, which has conveyed its solidarity with the victims and deplored the “catastrophic consequences” is not aware at this time that a Spanish citizen has been affected but has activated the Emergency Center AECID in order to provide emergency assistance and consulates of Spain in Quito and Guayaquil to remain in contact with local authorities to know the situation of the Spanish community. Latin American leaders also expressed their solidarity with Ecuador through social networks. Unasur Secretary General, Ernesto Samper, and the presidents of Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Mexico and Venezuela expressed today in social networks support.
