Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Search for Survivors Continues as Ecuador Earthquake Kills Over 270 by VOA News The death toll from the massive earthquake in Ecuador continues to rise. President Rafael Correa says 272 people have died, and that number is expected to rise significantly. More than 2,500 people have been injured. The president was in Italy Saturday when the quake struck. He cut his trip short to return home to oversee relief efforts. Speaking in Manta, one of the worst-hit areas, Correa said the priority now is looking for survivors. He said there is evidence there are survivors underneath the rubble. ''Correa said the powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake was the worst natural disaster Ecuador has experienced since a 1949 earthquake in Ambato that killed thousands. Troops have been deployed to the stricken areas, which have been hard to reach because of damaged highways. Sunday night, thousands of Ecuadorians settled down for a second night on the streets. Many of them camped next to their flattened homes. Authorities said the quake was felt throughout the entire country. '' It knocked out electricity and cell phone coverage in several neighborhoods in Quito, the capital, where buildings swayed for about 40 seconds, causing people to rush into the streets. The tourist city of Pedernales and coastal area of Manta are among the hardest-hit areas. Rescuers were digging through the rubble with their bare hands looking for anyone who might be buried under collapsed homes and buildings. Vice President Jorge Glas said Pedernales is destroyed. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ecuador-earthquake/3290142.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ecuador-earthquake/3290142.html