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Rescuers search Peru quake rubble Rescuers search Peru quake rubble
(40 minutes later)
Emergency workers are struggling to deal with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Peru that has left hundreds of people dead.Emergency workers are struggling to deal with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Peru that has left hundreds of people dead.
The mayor of Pisco estimated that 70% of his coastal city was in ruins. "It is totally indescribable," he said. Damaged roads are hampering rescuers trying to reach Pisco, Ica, and other rural towns south-west of the capital.
Rescue teams trying to get to Pisco, Ica, and other rural towns south-west of the capital, Lima, found roads broken up and power supplies down. At least 450 people died and 1,500 were injured, said a senior UN official.
The UN said the death toll had risen to 450, with 1,500 people injured. Margareta Wahlstrom said power and communications were down and that 80% of houses in some areas had been destroyed because of poor construction.
The senior UN official was quoting figures from the National Disaster Management Authority in Peru. Ms Wahlstrom, UN deputy emergency relief co-ordinator, said that the death toll was likely to rise as the destruction of buildings in the area was "quite total".
'Everything destroyed'
The 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday evening at 1841 (2341 GMT), just off the coast of Peru.
See map of the affected area See map of the affected area
She said almost $1m (£500,000) had already been pledged by several UN agencies to help the quake victims.
'Everything destroyed'
The 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday evening at 1841 (2341 GMT), just off the coast of Peru.
The province of Ica was the most damaged, but even in Lima, 150km (95 miles) from the epicentre, people stood trembling on the streets as buildings around them shook.The province of Ica was the most damaged, but even in Lima, 150km (95 miles) from the epicentre, people stood trembling on the streets as buildings around them shook.
In the latest developments:In the latest developments:
  • Severe aftershocks continue into Thursday morning, the strongest of which measures 6.3
  • Severe aftershocks continue into Thursday morning, the strongest of which measures 6.3
  • Pisco's mayor says 200 people are buried in the rubble of a church which collapsed during mass
  • Pisco's mayor says 200 people are buried in the rubble of a church which collapsed during mass
  • In Chincha, about 200 people wait outside a badly damaged hospital, fearing it might collapse
  • In Chincha, about 200 people wait outside a badly damaged hospital, fearing it might collapse
    • Juan Mendoza, mayor of Pisco, told a radio station that "the dead are scattered by the dozens on the streets".Juan Mendoza, mayor of Pisco, told a radio station that "the dead are scattered by the dozens on the streets".
    He estimated that 70% of his coastal city was in ruins.
    "We don't have lights, water, communications. Most houses have fallen, churches, stores, hotels, everything is destroyed," he said."We don't have lights, water, communications. Most houses have fallen, churches, stores, hotels, everything is destroyed," he said.
    Bitter coldBitter cold
    President Alan Garcia quickly announced a state of emergency and sent cabinet ministers to the region.President Alan Garcia quickly announced a state of emergency and sent cabinet ministers to the region.
    Health workers abandoned an industrial strike to attend to casualties, and rescue teams were despatched from other parts of the country.Health workers abandoned an industrial strike to attend to casualties, and rescue teams were despatched from other parts of the country.
    I never experienced such a long and strong earthquake in Peru. It felt like it would never end Marcia, Lima Eyewitness accounts In pictures: Peru quakeI never experienced such a long and strong earthquake in Peru. It felt like it would never end Marcia, Lima Eyewitness accounts In pictures: Peru quake
    However, the damage caused by the quake hampered the emergency effort.However, the damage caused by the quake hampered the emergency effort.
    Giorgio Ferrario, head of Peru's Red Cross, said it had taken workers seven-and-a-half hours to get to the province of Ica, rather than the usual two.Giorgio Ferrario, head of Peru's Red Cross, said it had taken workers seven-and-a-half hours to get to the province of Ica, rather than the usual two.
    He said he expected the official death toll to increase as daylight enabled workers to speed up their search for victims.He said he expected the official death toll to increase as daylight enabled workers to speed up their search for victims.
    In the city of Ica, people sifted through the rubble of the Senor de Luren church, which collapsed during mass.In the city of Ica, people sifted through the rubble of the Senor de Luren church, which collapsed during mass.
    In Imperial, a town south of Lima, "about 80% of the adobe houses have fallen," Mayor Richard Yactayo told Reuters news agency.In Imperial, a town south of Lima, "about 80% of the adobe houses have fallen," Mayor Richard Yactayo told Reuters news agency.
    Amid the bitter cold of winter, Imperial's survivors lit fires in their ruined homes to keep themselves warm.Amid the bitter cold of winter, Imperial's survivors lit fires in their ruined homes to keep themselves warm.
    Sense of reliefSense of relief
    Hospitals were reported to be overwhelmed by the number of casualties. The floors of the hospital in Chincha were described as covered with dead bodies.Hospitals were reported to be overwhelmed by the number of casualties. The floors of the hospital in Chincha were described as covered with dead bodies.
    How earthquakes happen Earthquake timelineHow earthquakes happen Earthquake timeline
    Offers of assistance, whether in the form of rescue experts or relief supplies, came from Spain, France, Ecuador and Bolivia.Offers of assistance, whether in the form of rescue experts or relief supplies, came from Spain, France, Ecuador and Bolivia.
    President Garcia thanked God that the earthquake had not caused "a catastrophe with an immense number of victims".President Garcia thanked God that the earthquake had not caused "a catastrophe with an immense number of victims".
    In 1970, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake high in the Peruvian Andes triggered a landslide that buried the town of Yungay and killed 66,000 people.In 1970, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake high in the Peruvian Andes triggered a landslide that buried the town of Yungay and killed 66,000 people.
    In Lima's poorer suburbs and shanty towns, news of the damage is still coming in, reports the BBC's Dan Collyns.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.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.
    Return to story Return to story
    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.
    You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100
    Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
    When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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