Close X
Saturday, November 30, 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

    Like Emailing With Anne Frank: Syrians Head Online To Find Canadian Sponsors

    Like Emailing With Anne Frank: Syrians Head Online To Find Canadian Sponsors
    For nearly three years, his family had been in Jordan, among over half a million Syrians there crammed into apartments and camps. It was safer than sleeping in the bathtub in their house in Syria for protection from missiles, but they wanted out.

    Like Emailing With Anne Frank: Syrians Head Online To Find Canadian Sponsors

    Nova Scotia Premier Asks PM Trudeau For Funding For Trouble-Plagued Hospital

    HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's premier says he has asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for funding to replace Halifax's trouble-plagued Victoria General hospital.

    Nova Scotia Premier Asks PM Trudeau For Funding For Trouble-Plagued Hospital

    Modi Praises Indian Workers' Hard Work In Saudi Arabia

    Modi Praises Indian Workers' Hard Work In Saudi Arabia
    The large number of Indian blue collar workers in Saudi Arabia on Saturday came in for much appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the hard work they have put in for the development of the Gulf kingdom.

    Modi Praises Indian Workers' Hard Work In Saudi Arabia

    Quebec Bill 74 Would Force Internet Firms To Block Access To Online Gaming Sites

    Quebec Bill 74 Would Force Internet Firms To Block Access To Online Gaming Sites
    Bill 74 includes a provision that seeks to force Internet service providers to block Quebecers' access to online gambling sites that aren't approved by the government.

    Quebec Bill 74 Would Force Internet Firms To Block Access To Online Gaming Sites

    Suspected MH 370 Debris Found On Mauritius Coast

    Suspected MH 370 Debris Found On Mauritius Coast
    A piece of debris thought to be from the Malaysian airliner that went missing more than two years ago over the Indian Ocean has been found in the island nation of Mauritius, media reported on Sunday.

    Suspected MH 370 Debris Found On Mauritius Coast

    India, Saudi Arabia To Strengthen Anti-Terror Cooperation

    India, Saudi Arabia To Strengthen Anti-Terror Cooperation
    Modi was also conferred with the Gulf kingdom's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash.

    India, Saudi Arabia To Strengthen Anti-Terror Cooperation