On Saturday, April 16th, Ecuador was pummeled with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that managed to kill over 500 people.  This is the deadliest earthquake that the country has experienced since 1987. According to CNN, Ecuador’s Risk Management Office reported 155 other people are missing and over 7,000 are injured. Most of the confirmed deaths were reported out of 3 coastal cities of Ecuador including Manta, Portoviejo, and Pedernales. On April 21st, Ecuador was struck again with a 5.5 magnitude aftershock. Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, has announced a partial rebuilding plan, part of which will be made possible by raising taxes on utility costs and selling some government assets.

Most of the survivors waiting for help are stuck because emergency agencies can not reach them due to the damaged infrastructure. Some of the survivors believe the El Nino weather pattern that Ecuador has been experiencing for the past month or so, also had an impact on the damage to the roadways. Pedernales, a popular tourist destination, on Ecuador’s Pacific coast, was destroyed when the sandy shore collided with the city streets. In a large hotel nearby, rescuers have already found 5 dead bodies in the rubble.

The government continuing to inspect neighborhoods and remaining buildings while searching for victims and survivors.  Additionally, the government is supplying basic needs to those left remaining. According to CNN, in initial response to the damage, the Ecuadorian government has deployed 10,000 soldiers and 4,600 police officers, some of whom are bringing along rescue dogs to help search for bodies. Rescuers from 8 other countries have traveled to help the efforts, and military troops have established temporary hospitals and shelters.