Quito (Ecuador), Feb 1 (AP) A rain-weakened hillside collapsed in Ecuador's capital, sweeping over homes and a sports field and killing at least 18 people, rescue officials said Tuesday.

The government's emergency agency said at least three homes were destroyed and that neighbours had joined rescue workers in hunting through the ruins for survivors.

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The rescue agency initially reported 14 known dead, but Metropolitan District police Commander Cesar Zapata later told Ecuavisa television that four more victims had been found.

Images from the collapse showed waves of mud, some 3 metres (10-feet) high, carrying vehicles, trash bins and other debris under a heavy rain Monday night in the neighbourhoods of La Gasca and Armero on the slopes of the Ruco Pinchincha mountain.

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As the rescue began, police called for silence so that the cries of those trapped could be heard. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)