(VOA) The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Ecuador surged to 233 on Sunday, as daylight aided rescue and recovery efforts from the overnight devastation.

The latest figures from the office of President Rafael Correa more than triple earlier estimates.

Hundreds more people were injured when the the shallow 7.8-magnitude quake struck late Saturday along the South American country’s coast.

Initial reports indicate heavy damage in the coastal city of Manta. Rescue crews struggled to get to the sparsely populated fishing ports and tourists beaches.

The city of Pedernales, home to more than 40,000 people in Manabí Province, is “destroyed,” according to the president’s office.

Correa, who was in Rome at the time of the earthquake after attending a Vatican conference, was cutting short the visit to return home Sunday.

Speaking to reporters in Rome, Correa said the country was in need of rescue teams. Among international aid, Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico were sending personnel and supplies, the Correa government said.

“Everything can be rebuilt, but what can’t be rebuilt are human lives, and that’s the most painful,” he said in Rome.

Later, Correa tweeted: “The immediate priority is to rescue people in the rubble.”

Vice President Jorge Glas is en route to the affected area. He said early Sunday the death toll is likely to rise as reports from around the country continue to come in.

Officials said shelters had been set up and two emergency portable hospitals were being deployed — one to Pedernales and another to Ecuador’s Portoviejo area.

The earthquake was felt 170 kilometers away in the capital Quito, where it knocked out electricity and cell phone coverage in several neighborhoods.

Buildings swayed for about 40 seconds, causing people to rush into the streets.

A bridge collapsed in the port city of Guayaquil.

Glas said the national guard has been mobilized to maintain public order.

A tsunami warning was issued, but there were no immediate reports of massive waves.

On Sunday, Pope Francis offered prayers for the people affected by earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan.