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Dozens killed by Peru earthquake Dozens killed by Peru earthquake
(about 1 hour later)
A powerful 7.9 earthquake has hit the coast of Peru, killing more than 70 people and injuring 680 others. A powerful 7.9 earthquake has hit the coast of Peru, killing more than 115 people and injuring hundreds of others, the health ministry has said.
At least 46 people were killed in the province of Ica, about 265km (165 miles) south of Lima, officials said. At least 46 people were killed in the coastal province of Ica, about 265km (165 miles) south of the capital, Lima.
In Lima, buildings shook violently during the prolonged tremors, prompting residents to take to the streets.In Lima, buildings shook violently during the prolonged tremors, prompting residents to take to the streets.
President Alan Garcia said Peru had been badly hit, but first signs were that the quake was not a catastrophe. President Alan Garcia said Peru had been badly hit, but first signs were that the quake was not a "catastrophe".
He said he was sending three cabinet members, including the health minister, to the worst affected southern coastal towns.He said he was sending three cabinet members, including the health minister, to the worst affected southern coastal towns.
Low-lying coastal areas in Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia were evacuated after a tsunami alert was issued. The warning was later withdrawn.
The earthquake struck coastal Peru at 1840 (2340 GMT) and lasted for several minutes,The earthquake struck coastal Peru at 1840 (2340 GMT) and lasted for several minutes,
The US Geological Survey said its epicentre was beneath the Pacific Ocean, about 145km (90 miles) south-east of Lima. The US Geological Survey said the epicentre was beneath the Pacific Ocean, about 145km (90 miles) south-east of Lima. Four strong aftershocks ranging from 5.4 to 5.9 followed, the organisation said.
Four strong aftershocks ranging from 5.4 to 5.9 followed, the organisation said. It fortunately did not cause a catastrophe with an immense number of victims President Alan Garcia Rush-hour traffic in Lima came to a halt as buildings shook with the force of the powerful tremors and hundreds of people spilled onto the streets.
Rush-hour traffic in Lima came to a halt as buildings shook with the force of the powerful tremors and hundreds of people spilled onto the streets. But the full devastating force of the earthquake was felt closer to the epicentre in the southern coastal province of Ica, where it brought down buildings, cut power supplies and disrupted communications.
It fortunately did not cause a catastrophe with an immense number of victims President Alan Garcia Low-lying coastal areas in Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia were evacuated after a tsunami alert was issued. The warning was later withdrawn.
"I heard quite violent shaking, books falling off the bookcase, a lampshade falling over and pictures falling off the wall, and I went to the safe zone by the lift," the BBC's Dan Collyns in Lima said. Church collapse
But the full devastating force of the earthquake was felt closer to the epicentre in the southern coastal province of Ica.
Deputy Health Minister Jose Calderon described the situation in Ica, where 650,000 people live, as "dramatic".Deputy Health Minister Jose Calderon described the situation in Ica, where 650,000 people live, as "dramatic".
The city's mayor, Mariano Nacimiento, said hospitals in the area had reported 46 deaths and 350 injured, but added that the death toll was expected to rise. Residents took to the streets in Lima as buildings shook violentlyThe city's mayor, Mariano Nacimiento, said hospitals in the area had reported 46 deaths and 350 injured, but added that the death toll was expected to rise.
The mayor said he had asked the government for medicine, blankets, tents and all help that could be given.The mayor said he had asked the government for medicine, blankets, tents and all help that could be given.
"We're working, visiting areas where there are dead people and for this, the government's role is very important," he told Radio Programas del Peru (RPP)."We're working, visiting areas where there are dead people and for this, the government's role is very important," he told Radio Programas del Peru (RPP).
Local TV reports said many of the dead and injured in Ica had been celebrating evening mass when the church they were in collapsed.Local TV reports said many of the dead and injured in Ica had been celebrating evening mass when the church they were in collapsed.
State of emergency Speaking on national TV and radio, President Garcia thanked God that the earthquake had not caused "a catastrophe with an immense number of victims".
Speaking on national TV and radio, President Garcia thanked God that the earthquake had not caused a catastrophe, as such events had in the past. "We have declared a state of emergency in Ica province and we are going this evening to ensure that regional and local governments, civil defence institutions and ministries can spend what they need to, rapidly and immediately, in order to solve the problems that exist there," he said.
"It fortunately did not cause a catastrophe with an immense number of victims," he said. The president ordered police onto the streets of Lima to keep order, and schools are being closed because the buildings may be unsafe.
"We have declared a state of emergency in the Ica province and we are going this evening to ensure that regional and local governments, civil defence institutions and ministries can spend what they need to, rapidly and immediately, in order to solve the problems that exist there." In Lima's poorer suburbs and shanty towns, news of the damage is still coming in, reports the BBC's Dan Collyns. However, he says the feeling in the city, where one third of the population lives, is that it may have narrowly avoided a major disaster.
The president also ordered police onto the streets of Lima to keep order.
Our correspondent says the feeling on the streets of Lima, a city where one third of the population lives, is that it may have narrowly avoided a major disaster.
Are you in the Peruvian capital or surrounding areas? Have you felt the effects of the earthquake? Send us your observations.
Are you in the Peruvian capital or surrounding areas? Have you felt the effects of the earthquake? Send us your observations.
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