Heavy Storm Kills 28 In
Ecuador
At least 28 people were
killed and another 20
missing in flood and
mudslide caused by a
heavy storm that hit
many parts of Ecuador,
officials said on
Tuesday.
The west coast of
Ecuador was the hardest
hit by the heaviest
storm in a decade, which
swept through 13 of the
nation's 24 provinces.
In the provinces of
Manabi, Guayas and Los
Rios, the storm damaged
roads and caused
mudslide.
About 300,000 residents
were affected by the
storm. Almost
10,000families were
evacuated from their
homes, media reports
said.
Emergency officials said
three vehicles,
including a bus, were
swept away by a mudslide
in Manabi province. The
driver of the bus was
rescued but 20 people
onboard were missing.
The storm paralyzed
traffic in the region,
hampering rescue
efforts.
Weathermen forecast the
stormy weather could
last until April. The
Ecuadoran government has
declared a state of
emergency in the
disaster-hit area and
appealed for
international emergency
aid.
|
|
