TheCable

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador has declared a state of emergency following an earthquake that killed at least 233 people.

Correa, who is on his way back to his country from a trip to Italy, has asked for “calm and united”.

The earthquake with magnitude-7.8 is said to be the most powerful in decades.

It was felt as far away as neighbouring Colombia.

Coastal areas in the north-west were closest to the epicentre and officials say the death toll is likely to rise as information begins to come in.

“These are very difficult moments,” BBC quoted Ecuador’s Vice-President Jorge Glas as saying.

“We have information that there are injured people who are trapped [under rubble] in different districts and we are getting ready to rescue them.”

Glas said food and other essentials were being handed out and international aid was also beginning, with the first coming from Venezuela and Mexico.

At least 500 people were injured in the quake, which was felt across the country.

Widespread severe damage is reported, with a bridge destroyed as far south as Guayaquil about 300km (190 miles) away.

Gabriel Alcivar, mayor of Pedernales, close to the epicentre, said the “entire town” had been flattened.

“We’re trying to do the most we can but there’s almost nothing we can do,” he added, warning that looting had broken out.

In badly hit Manta, one woman said: “The third floor collapsed on top of us.

“They are all there, my family, my sister, my children. They are all there, there are a lot of people. My God, may the help arrive.”

Cristian Ibarra Santillan was in the capital Quito when the quake struck.

“There had been some small tremors going on for about two or three months and I thought it was one of those but after about 20, 30 seconds it started to get really strong,” he told the BBC.

“And I grabbed my dog and I hid under the table. But then I realised that it wasn’t going away so I just ran with him outside.”