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MSU makes contact with 4 students in Ecuador

Posted at 2:24 PM, Apr 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-18 07:42:53-04

The strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades hit overnight, flattening buildings and buckling highways along the country's pacific coast, with the death toll rising to 235.

Michigan State University said there are four students currently in Ecuador as part of their international studies program. They have made contact with the students and they are all safe.

According to MSU, they were supposed to be in Quito, which is the south end capital of the country. That's over 100 miles from where the magnitude-7.8 earthquake took place.

The quake was centered on a sparsely populated area of fishing ports and tourist beaches.

Ecuador's Vice President Jorge Glas said there are more than 1,500 people injured, but says there is no risk of a tsunami.