UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday sent his condolences to the people and government of Ecuador after a powerful earthquake that had hit the country the previous day.

Ban commended the Ecuadorian authorities for their leadership in the rescue effort and in providing relief to affected communities, according to a statement of Ban's spokesman.

The UN emergency relief coordinator has deployed a coordination team to the affected area, and the United Nations and its humanitarian partners stand ready to provide additional support, added the statement.

Saturday's devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake, the strongest to have jolted Ecuador since 1979, has killed at least 246 people and injured 2,527 others.

Source: XINHUA