A 7.8 magnitude earthquake has been blamed for at least 350 deaths after striking the northern coast of Ecuador Saturday. Rescue teams continued to search for survivors still trapped beneath collapsed buildings Monday. Worried family members waited for news at city morgues and slept outside as hundreds of aftershocks rocked the region through the weekend. Officials say this earthquake is the worst to hit Ecuador in nearly 40 years. Thousands remain injured and still more are without homes, power or access to supplies like clean water. Teams managed to rescue three people who had been trapped more than 36 hours. President Rafael Correa flew back from a trip to Italy to survey the damage and assure those waiting for aide that help was on the way. Neighboring countries and Spain have sent teams and humanitarian aid to help with rescue efforts and cleanup. “It’s a huge tragedy,” Correa said. “But even bigger is the will of the Ecuadorian people, who are united today more than ever.”

aftershock — a smaller earthquake following the main shock of a large earthquake magnitude —the great size or extent of something humanitarian aid — material or logistical assistance provided in response to crises including natural and man-made disasters