Sky News Breaking News
Peru Earthquake: Death Toll Rises To 330
Updated: 09:30, Thursday August 16, 2007
Mass Panic After Earthquake Hits Peru
Updated: 09:38, Thursday August 16, 2007
A powerful earthquake in Peru has killed more than 330 people, according to the nation's civil defence agency. People slept outside after the quake
The quake measured 7.9 on the Richter scale and aftershocks with a magnitude of 7.5 have also been felt.
Peru's Health Minister Carlos Vallejos said more than 1,000 people were injured.
Authorities said the quake generated a tsunami but it was not destructive.
Houses collapsed in the centre of Lima and power has been cut to some regions.
Local firefighters said workers were evacuated from office buildings and remained outside in open areas, fearing more tremors.
People slept outside after the quake
The quake hit about 90 miles south east of Lima near the town of Chincha Alta, which has a population of more than 100,000.
A tsuanmi warning was issued for Peru, Chile, Equador and Colombia by the Pacific Tsunami Warning centre in Hawaii but was later cancelled.
The centre said the quake caused an estimated 10-inch tsunami near the epicentre but it was not big enough to be destructive.
Peru's President Alan Garcia said the earthquake had not caused a catastrophe.
"Thank you, God Almighty, these terrible quakes did not cause a high death toll like in other years," he said in an address on national TV.
The president said public schools will be closed today because the buildings may be unsafe.
Police reported that large boulders came loose from hills and were blocking the country's Central Highway east of the capital.
Mass Panic After Earthquake Hits Peru
I think it’s a little too early, IMHO, for the President of Peru to be making statements about the death toll being low, and saying this is not a catastrophe. All accounts I have heard thus far seem to contradict that statement. It’s not even daylight, yet, and rescue efforts have undoubtedly just begun. I understand him wanting to reassure Peruvian citizens, but it is a little early to put such spin on it. Thank God that _more_ were not lost, for sure that is correct!