Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
International

Two Canadians Dead Among 233 Killed In 7.8-Magnitude Ecuador Quake

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Apr, 2016 12:30 PM
    OTTAWA — Federal officials say two Canadians are among at least 233 people killed by a devastating earthquake in Ecuador.
     
    Global Affairs Canada says consular officials are in contact with the families of the two Canadians, who have not been named.
     
    The 7.8-magnitude earthquake is the strongest to hit Ecuador since 1979, levelling buildings and buckling highways along the Pacific Coast of the South American country.
     
    The quake was centred about 170 kilometres northwest of the capital, Quito.
     
    President Rafael Correa has declared a national emergency and some 10,000 armed forces have been deployed to the earthquake region in addition to 4,600 national police.
     
    Global Affairs Canada has asked friends and relatives of those known to be travelling in Ecuador to contact their emergency response centre.
     
    "I am saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life stemming from Saturday's devastating earthquake near the central coast of Ecuador which has already cost the lives of at least 233, including two Canadians," Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said in a release Sunday.
     
    "Canadian officials at our embassy in Quito are reaching out to Canadian citizens in-country and providing assistance to Canadians affected by the earthquake. We will continue to work with local authorities to assess impact and needs on the ground."
     
    Reports out of Ecuador said rescuers are struggling to reach survivors trapped in the ruins of fallen buildings.
     
    Shanty towns and cheaply constructed brick and concrete homes were reduced to rubble along the quake's path, while in Guayaquil a shopping centre's roof fell down and a collapsed highway overpass crushed a car. In Manta, the airport closed after the control tower collapsed, injuring an air traffic control worker and a security guard.
     
    The quake was felt in neighbouring Colombia and more than 135 aftershocks followed, including a magnitude-5.6 aftershock.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    It's A Boy! Donald Trump's Daughter, Ivanka, Gives Birth To Third Child

    It's A Boy! Donald Trump's Daughter, Ivanka, Gives Birth To Third Child
    The billionaire businessman's daughter, Ivanka Trump, has given birth to her third child with husband Jared Kushner.

    It's A Boy! Donald Trump's Daughter, Ivanka, Gives Birth To Third Child

    March 22 terror attack to figure in Modi's Brussels meet

    March 22 terror attack to figure in Modi's Brussels meet
    In Brussels, Modi will hold bilateral talks with the Belgian leadership and also attend the 13th India-EU summit. The last India-EU summit was held in 2012.

    March 22 terror attack to figure in Modi's Brussels meet

    South Africa's Opposition Wants Parliament To Probe Indian Gupta Family

    South Africa's Opposition Wants Parliament To Probe Indian Gupta Family
    The National Assembly should investigate "patterns of state capture" by the Indian Gupta family, South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.

    South Africa's Opposition Wants Parliament To Probe Indian Gupta Family

    Wrong Number? Donald Trump's TV Telephone Interviews In Spotlight

    In television news, a telephone interview is typically frowned upon. Donald Trump's fondness for them is changing habits and causing consternation in newsrooms, while challenging political traditions.

    Wrong Number? Donald Trump's TV Telephone Interviews In Spotlight

    Clinton Feels The Bern With Sanders Sweep

    Clinton Feels The Bern With Sanders Sweep
    Hillary Clinton felt the 'Bern' as rival Bernie Sanders swept all three Democratic presidential nomination contests, giving the frontrunner a warning that the race for the party's nomination is far from over.

    Clinton Feels The Bern With Sanders Sweep

    Syrian Army Retakes Ancient Palmyra City, 400 ISIS Militants Killed

    Syrian Army Retakes Ancient Palmyra City, 400 ISIS Militants Killed
    The Syrian army fully recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria on Sunday, following days of intense battles against the Islamic State (IS) group.

    Syrian Army Retakes Ancient Palmyra City, 400 ISIS Militants Killed