The machinery noise is dominant in the Ground Zero Tons of debris are removed in downtown Portoviejo

The noise of construction machines is the only thing that can be heard. Tractors, dump trucks and bulldozers continued last Friday removing tons of debris from the commercial and financial center of Portoviejo, which was ruined by an earthquake three weeks ago.

The comings and goings of the machinery is the only thing that gives life to the heart of the capital of the coastal province of Manabi.

“Nobody can enter here. No civilian can enter without an authorization,” said a military in charge of the surveillance at the ground zero of Portoviejo, which covers dozens of blocks that remain uninhabited before the imminent danger of collapse of more buildings.

The area concentrated commercial and banking activities of Portoviejo, where 133 deaths are recorded and the authorities have determined that the 279 buildings that still stand are unsafe and have red signs with that ban the entry of people.

739 other structures have the yellow alert, so the entrance is restricted (I).