Torontonians anxious for messages from family after Ecuador earthquake

The short voicemail message contained terrible news, but PatriciaBustoswas still happy to hear it.

The message was from her cousin, who lives in an area of Ecuador hit hard bySaturday's7.8-magnitudeearthquake. She described it as "a total disaster."

• Uncle recounts Quebec family's last moments before Ecuador earthquake

• Ecuador quake toll rises to 350; billions needed to rebuild

"It was strong.She thought it was the end of the world,"Bustossaid.

Like manyTorontonianswith family members in Ecuador,shehad been anxiously awaiting news from back home and the voicemail message confirmed that her cousin and her daughter were safe.

"Thank God she's alive," she said.

Bustoshas also received photos from her cousin that show a dire situation in the earthquake's aftermath in the city of Manta.

"She sent me pictures [of] buildings destroyed. Many people [are] crying, screaming in the streets. They don't know what to do, they're very afraid," she said.

The number of dead fromSaturday'squake has reached at least 350, with another 2,700 injured, according to thegovernment of Ecuador.

Thestrongest earthquake to hit the countrysince 1979 was centred on the country's Pacific coast, which is located about 170 kilometres northwest of the capital city of Quito.

On Sunday, there were prayers and support for Ecuador at a Toronto church, thePrimeraIglesiaAlianzaHispanaon Weston Road.The church has many members with ties to Ecuador.

"One morning you wake up, yourlife is normal and the next morning you lose everything, everyone or part of your life. Everything changes,"DanielaNumerableEspinoza, who also has family in the affected area, told CBC News.

Zachary Robichaud, a Canadian living in Ecuador with his family, said it was the biggest earthquake he has ever felt.

"It lasted around a minute and when I realized what was going on, I was hearing the tiles from the roof falling down," he said.

Global Affairs Canada confirmedtwo people from Quebec,a woman,JenniferMawn,and her 12-year-old son, ArthurLaflamme,are among the dead.