Ecuador rattled by hundreds of aftershocks

Portoviejo (Ecuador), Apr 18: New aftershocks are rattling Ecuador - part of the hundreds following a deadly magnitude-7.8 earthquake that has killed at least 272 people in the Andean nation.

Ecuador's Geophysics Institute says 230 aftershocks had hit as of last night, ranging in magnitude from 3.5 to 6.1 and striking at shallow depths.

The institute also sent out a steady stream of tweets this morning each time a new aftershock was registered.

Most were happening in the Pacific Ocean near the hard-hit coastal cities of Pedernales and Manta.

Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, has warned the death toll could rise significantly from Saturday's quake, which also injured more than 2,500 people.

Correa says Ecuador will overcome the tragedy. He says "the Ecuadorean spirit knows how to move forward, and will know how to overcome these very difficult moments."

AP