A 7.8-magnitude earthquake rattled buildings and was felt more than 100 miles away in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday morning.
At least 350 people were killed and more than 2,500 people were injured in Guayaquil, Manta and Portoviejo, the Ecuadoran security minister said Monday.
Those numbers are expected to increase as officials still are looking for a long list of missing people.
At least one person was killed when a bridge collapsed in the port city of Guayaquil, according to CNN. The overpass collapsed on top of a car and the roof of a shopping center buckled.
At least two Canadian citizens are among those dead, according to the AP.
Hundreds of buildings collapsed and rescuers are digging through the ruins, the Associated Press reported. More than 10,000 members of the armed forces have been deployed to help people.
El Diario newspaper editor Jaime Ugalde said it seems like nothing has been left standing.
>> PHOTOS: Destruction, devastation after 7.8-magnitude quake strikes Ecuador
"It's very important that Ecuadorians remain calm during this emergency," Glas said.
President Rafael Correa was in Rome attending a Vatican conference when the earthquake hit. He said he planned to return to Ecuador Sunday afternoon.
The quake was centered 16 miles south-southeast of Muisne, Ecuador. The U.S. Geological Survey first listed the quake at 7.4, then later raised its magnitude.
The quake triggered a tsunami warning by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for some coasts including Australia, Hawaii and Taiwan. Neighboring Peru also issued a tsunami warning, according to Reuters.
Ecuador's seismological institute reported more than 135 aftershocks after the quake, and authorities have warned that more aftershocks are possible in the coming hours and days.
In Manta, the airport was closed after the control tower sustained severe damages.
Some parts of the capital were without power and phone service Saturday, according to Reuters.
Calling service Skype is offering free calls to landlines and mobile lines in Ecuador for a few days.
Ecuador's quake comes just days after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Kumamoto, Japan Thursday. A 7.3-magnitude quake hit the island country 28 hours later.
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