Ecuador's president says rebuilding from Saturday's powerful earthquake that killed at least 413 people will cost billions of dollars.
Rafael Correa visited the northeastern town of Portoviejo Monday for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Portoviejo, along with
the nearby cities of Manta and Pedernales, were among the worst affected, although damage was widespread throughout the country.
Three people were pulled out alive from the rubble of a shopping center in Manta after being trapped for 32 hours.
The quake, Ecuador's worst natural disaster in more than half a century, injured more than 2,500 people and left thousands homeless. The death toll includes three Cuban doctors,
a Catholic missionary nun from Northern Ireland, two Canadians and one U.S. national.
Thousands of soldiers and police have been deployed throughout Ecuador to provide emergency relief, including temporary shelters and food. In addition, scores of aid workers from dozens of nations, including Spain, Peru, Cuba, Bolivia and Venezuela, have arrived to assist in the relief efforts, and the United Nations said it is preparing to airlift tons of emergency supplies.