Ecuador earthquake death toll rises to 272

Rescuers pulled survivors from rubble on Sunday after the strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades flattened buildings and buckled highways along its Pacific coast.

The magnitude-7.8 quake, the strongest to hit Ecuador since 1979, was centered on Ecuador’s sparsely populated fishing ports and tourist beaches, 105 miles (170 kilometers) northwest of Quito, the capital.

Ecuador’s president says the earthquake death toll in country has risen to at least 272 and is sure to go much higher.

After visiting areas hard hit by the quake, Rafael Correa gave the new count to reporters early Monday and said it would “surely rise, and in a considerable way.”

Correa says Ecuador will overcome the tragedy.