More than 600 people are confirmed to have died in the powerful earthquake in El Salvador. But it is feared that the death toll could rise considerably. Hundreds of aftershocks are hampering the rescue work. Rudelmar de Bueno di Fario, representative of ACT member Lutheran World Federation in El Salvador, reported two more earthquakes this morning reaching up to 5.5 on the Richter Scale. Many of the houses affected in the first earthquake were now totally destroyed, die Fario says.
Many rural areas remain isolated due to blocked roads.
All communities close to the Lempa river in the eastern part of the country and some areas close to the capital can be reached only by helicopter. The army is trying to provide drinking water and food for people there. Rescue teams, including ACT staff, are walking up to four hours to reach the isolated communities. His own family is among those sleeping outdoors. To avoid epidemics the mayor of Santa Tecla, Oscar Ortiz, has ordered collective funerals in the town.