Waterloo-based Aeryon Labs maps area hit by earthquake in Ecuador

Waterloo-based Aeryon Labs is helping response teams get a better idea of where to focus their efforts after a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador.

• Ecuador earthquake death toll tops 650
• 4 Canadians confirmed dead in Ecuador earthquake
• Recent earthquakes come from Seismic Gap

Aeryon Labs used a drone to map the areas in Portoviejo, and conducted damage assessments, taking aerial images of damaged buildings. That information was used by local responders to identify areas that needed aid, said Global Medic, a disaster response organization, on its website.

The unmanned aerial vehicle's pilot was trained by Kitchener-based Clarion Drone Academy.

The death toll from the April 16 earthquake rose to 654 people on Saturday. Four Canadians are among the dead. More than 16,000 people were injured and 58 people are missing.

As well, close to 7,000 buildings were destroyed and 25,000 people are living in shelters. The government has estimated the damage at between $2 billion and $3 billion.