The Ecuadorean coastal province of Esmeraldas was covered by water after 12 hours of continuous rain that caused rivers to overflow. President Guillermo Lasso said on Twitter 500 people had been evacuated and extra safeguards were being taken.

Six rivers have overflowed and more than 500 people have been evacuated from their homes following 12 hours of rainfall in Ecuador, President Guillermo Lasso has said. He wrote on Twitter: "The priority is to save lives, let's protect them! We have already rescued 500 people and the work continues."

More than 500 people were evacuated from their homes in northern Ecuador on Sunday following flooding caused by heavy rains, President Guillermo Lasso said.Rain had fallen for 12 hours without interruption,