The death toll rose to 350 on Monday from a devastating earthquake that hit Ecuador at the weekend, as rescuers hunted for survivors.

More than 2,000 people were injured in Saturday night's 7.8 magnitude quake, which ripped apart buildings and roads and knocked out power along the Pacific coastline.

President Rafael Correa, giving the new tally of fatalities from the town of Portoviejo inside the disaster zone, said the number of dead had risen to 350 but feared that would rise further.

"Reconstruction will cost billions of dollars," Mr Correa added, as survivors begged him for water, adding later on Monday the impact on economic growth "could be huge."