At least 41 people were killed in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the west of Ecuador in the early hours of Sunday. The epicentre of the earthquake was 20 km deep and was felt throughout the whole country, while sources say the injured are expected to be in their hundreds. There have been extensive damages though out the country, while a tsunami warning has been issued. Reuters reports it is the most powerful earthquake in the country since 1979. Rescue crews are searching for survivors under rubble. The President of the country, Rafael Korea has declared the country in a state of emergency calling on his people to renin calm. ‘We send our love to the families of those lost’, he tweeted, while he canceled his scheduled trip to Italy. Authorities have urged citizens to abandon the coastal areas due to fears of a tsunami. Thousands of people are pouring into the country’s capital, Quito, and other cities away from the coastlines. Te Pacific Ocean tsunami warning centre reported up to 1m waves could hit the coastal areas. Reuters released images showing a collapsed bridge in the coastal city of Guayaquil and a collapsed airport control tower in the city of Manta. Power and phone lines have gone out in many parts of the capital.