Very afraid': Floods hit northern Ecuador

More than 500 people were evacuated from their homes in northern Ecuador following flooding caused by heavy rains, President Guillermo Lasso said. No one had been reported dead or missing, he said. Dozens of residents climbed onto the roofs or balconies of their homes to protect themselves from the rising waters.

Rain had fallen for 12 hours without interruption, causing six rivers to overflow, he added. Authorities evacuated flood victims by boat and helicopter. Around 11,750 people were affected by the floods and 16 lost their homes in the province of Esmeraldas. Classes were suspended in several towns where schools were damaged.