Bodies of coronavirus victims are being left to deteriorate on the side of the streets in an Ecuadorian city as the deadly virus continues to ravage the area.

More than 150 corpses were dumped in the street or kept in the homes of devastated families. In the hopes that authorities could take the corpses away, they were placed on the side of the road. But because of a backlog, removals take up to three days.

Many residents used cardboard boxes as coffins as Ecuador’s confirmed cases reached more than 3,500 and the death toll hit 172.

Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner apologized after videos and photos of the bodies were posted by residents on social media.

At least 150 corpses were picked up earlier this week but it was not confirmed how many of the bodies were victims of coronavirus.

In a statement broadcast by local media, Mr. Sonnenholzer said: “We have seen images that should never have happened and as your public servant, I apologise.”

1,000 pressed cardboard-box caskets were given to authorities from local producers and brought them to two local cemeteries.

“It’s so they can meet demand. There are either no coffins in the city or they are extremely expensive,” said a city hall spokesperson.

Funeral homes owner Santiago Olivares said his company was could not keep up with the demand. “I sold the 40 that I had at the downtown branch, and 40 others from my headquarters. I had to order 10 more at the weekend and they’ve run out,” he shared.

He also said that the 15-hour curfew was contributing to the shortage of materials for making coffins.

The Guayaquil mayor’s office took to Twitter and wrote: “The cardboard coffins will be a great help in providing a dignified burial for people who died during this health emergency.”

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