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Ecuador earthquake leaves hundreds dead

At least 480 people have died in Ecuador following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck off the country's northwest Pacific coast.

President Correa confirmed the death toll had reached the hundreds after the quake caused "considerable damage" near the epicentre as well as in the largest city of Guayaquil.

It follows the deaths of at least 32 people across the Pacific in Japan after two large earthquakes hit in the past few days.

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Ecuador quake death toll rises to 413

The death toll caused by the quake has jumped to 413, government sources said. Credit: Reuters

The death toll caused by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off Ecuador's coast has killed 413 people, the government said.

The number of injured rose to over 2,600.

President Rafael Correa warned that reconstruction following the country's biggest disaster in decades would cost "billions" and the economic impact could be "huge".

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