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Derry nun Clare Theresa Crockett killed in Ecuador earthquake 'died saving others'

Sister Clare Theresa Crockett was based at a school in Playa Prieta with the Home of the Mother order
Sister Clare Theresa Crockett was based at a school in Playa Prieta with the Home of the Mother order Sister Clare Theresa Crockett was based at a school in Playa Prieta with the Home of the Mother order

A NUN from Derry has been killed in an earthquake in Ecuador.

Sister Clare Theresa Crockett (33) was based at a school in Playa Prieta with the Home of the Mother order.

More than 270 people were killed in the earthquake that hit the south American country on Saturday evening.

Her grieving family say they have lost a "daughter, sister and aunt".

"On Sunday April 17, we lost our daughter, sister and aunt Sister Clare Theresa Crockett as a result of the earthquake in Ecuador," the family said in a statement.

"She was situated in a school in Playa Prieta with the Home of the Mother Order. At this difficult time we would ask for privacy."

Sr Crockett was originally from the Long Tower area of Derry city.

Fr Roland Cahoon, who knew Sister Crockett as the young woman's spiritual director, described her as "a beautiful person".

"The terrible news has devastated everyone in the last couple of hours," he told BBC Radio Foyle.

"This is a young girl who gave her life to God and died for the gospel.

"She was a joyful girl, I've known her since she was a teenager. A beautiful person.

"I'll remember the joy that she brought to her youth group and the enthusiasm she showed for her vocation to religious life.

"It's counter cultural to join a religious order for a young girl and she embraced it. We'll remember her with such affection."

More than 2,000 people were injured in the magnitude 7.8 quake – the most powerful earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades.

The death toll has risen to 272. The country's president Rafael Correa has warned that he expects that number to rise considerably.

Around 10,000 troops and 3,500 police are being deployed in the affected areas.

Coastal areas nearest the epicentre were hit hardest including the rustic tourist spot of Pedernales.