Ecuador has mobilized thousands of troops to assist the provinces most affected by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck on Saturday. Soldiers and rescue workers arrived in the city of Manta on Sunday. 

On Monday morning, more troops were sent to the northeastern province of Manabi. Access has been difficult due to damaged highways. The quake is the most powerful to hit Ecuador in decades Structures tumbled during the quake or the dozens of aftershocks.  So far, 272 people are dead and more than 2,000 have been injured.