DHAKA: At least 413 people are now known to have died in the earthquake that struck Ecuador.

Quoting the country’s government officials, BBC reports the matter.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck Ecuador’s Pacific coast on Saturday, and the search for survivors continues.

The cost of rebuilding is likely to be in the billions of dollars, President Rafael Correa said during a visit to the worst-affected region.

He said it was the biggest tragedy to hit Ecuador in the past seven decades. Some 2,500 people were injured.

BDST: 0850 HRS, APR 19, 2016
SR