MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The official death toll from Ecuador's earthquake has risen to 233, the country's president, Rafael Correa, said on Sunday.
"The official death toll has risen to 233. Manta has been greatly affected. Pedernales has been destroyed. The vice president has left for Portoviejo," Correa said in his official Twitter.
Cifra oficial de fallecidos sube a 233. Barrio Tarqui de Manta muy afectado. Pedernales destruido. Vicepresidente se dirige a Portoviejo…
— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) April 17, 2016
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador on Saturday, with its epicenter near the town of Pedernales. Earlier figures put the number of victims at 77 people dead and over 580 injured.
