Ecuador, continue the search for survivors. 350 killed so far

The search for survivors under the rubble of buildings destroyed by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake Saturday continues feverishly in Ecuador. President Rafael Correa warned that the balance of deaths, currently fixed at 350, can be aggravated even more. Only in Pedernalesin located very close to the epicenter is thought that the death toll could be about 400. Violent tremors of the earth have flattened almost the entire city, the mayor said Gabriel Alcivar. He stressed in particular the fact that, among many collapsed buildings there are hotels where tourists stay quite. "Everywhere you look lifeless bodies," he told local media. Views desperate arriving from areas hit by the devastating earthquake, where rescue workers dig up the family's hands, with the hope that it would arrive in time to save lives. According Correas, there is evidence that there are still people under the rubble alive. Finding them is our absolute priority, said the head of state during a pronouncement on national television. About 2,000 were injured by powerful earthquake that hit the poorest country in South America for decades. While in Portoviejo, the vibrations of the earth partially destroyed the city prison, allowing nearly 100 prisoners escape. Some of them, according to the Minister of Justice, Ledy Zuniga, were caught quickly, but others continue to roam free.