Ecuador earthquake: PM Narendra Modi offers condolences

New Delhi: Following the powerful earthquake in Ecuador which has claimed 28 lives so far, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and expressed hope to President Rafael Correa that the damage to property and infrastructure may be minimal.

"My thoughts & prayers are with the people of Ecuador. Condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Earthquake," the Prime Minister tweeted.

In a tweet addressed to Ecuadorian President Correa and Vice President Jorge Glas, he added that, "I hope those who are injured recover at the earliest & the damage to property & other infrastructure is minimal.@MashiRafael @JorgeGlas."

Atleast 28 people have been killed in the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near the country's coast today.

Glas told the nation in a televised address that a state of emergency was now in effect and added that preventative evacuations in coastal areas were underway because of possible tsunami risks.

However, the tsunami threat warning for many nations in the Pacific following the quake has been cancelled, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center who added that the forecast for some coastal areas of Ecuador still calls for the possibility of tsunami waves.

The quake resulted in damage to some buildings and many areas have lost power.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the tremor was centered about 27 kilometres (16.8 miles) south-southeast of Muisne.