Bangladesh has expressed deep shock at the tragic loss many lives and injury of hundreds of people in the devastating earthquake in Ecuador.

"I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic loss of at least 77 lives and injury to a few hundred due to the recent devastating earthquake in the Central Coast of your country," Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said in a message to his counterpart of Ecuador today.

 "Our sympathies and prayers are with all those affected in this devastation. We stand by you government and the friendly people of Ecuador at this difficult time," Ali said in his message to Charles Flanagan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister wished that the affected families would be able to return to their normal lives within the shortest possible time.