Ecuador’s earthquake hit provinces have become the centre of national and international aid. The city of Manta in the central area was hardest hit. Here is a no man’s land cordoned off. Soldiers, firefighters, and residents can enter. Clearing up is ongoing. People are still missing. Euronews was given access to see the operation.
“We are in Taqui district, in the centre of Manta. This is the most affected area. Nearly all the buildings have been seriously damaged or collapsed. Behind me there are the remains of a bookshop. It’s here that the highest number of victims has been registered. The rescuers have written it clearly on this wall, 92 dead and 31 rescued,” reported Euronews correspondent Monica Pinna.
The level of destruction in the main affected municipalities ranges between 30-90%, according to local authorities. In the cordoned off areas soldiers watch for looters while residents recover their things in the buildings which have been assessed as “secure”.
“We are allow
