Ecuador earthquake: 'It's going to take us years to recover'

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/19/americas/ecuador-earthquake/


(CNN) — The powerful earthquake that killed more than 480 people in Ecuador is the worst disaster the country has faced in decades, a top official said Tuesday.

"It's the worst tragedy in 60 years," Defense Minister Ricardo Patiño said. "We're facing the most difficult phase right now, which is rescuing victims and recovering bodies."

The Ministry of Security's risk management agency released a statement updating the death toll from Saturday's magnitude-7.8 earthquake. It now stands at at least 480, with more than 4,000 injured.


Recovery 'years away'

"We're removing debris, and we will very likely find more bodies," Patiño told reporters. "It's going to take us years to recover from this."