This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6950708.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Peruvians mourn earthquake dead | Peruvians mourn earthquake dead |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Peru will hold three days of mourning for the victims of a devastating earthquake that has left hundreds dead. | Peru will hold three days of mourning for the victims of a devastating earthquake that has left hundreds dead. |
| Rescuers are still pulling bodies from ruined buildings in the rural town of Pisco and nearby villages, 200km (120 miles) south-west of the capital, Lima. | Rescuers are still pulling bodies from ruined buildings in the rural town of Pisco and nearby villages, 200km (120 miles) south-west of the capital, Lima. |
| Hospitals and morgues were overwhelmed by the disaster, forcing residents to place dead bodies on the streets. | Hospitals and morgues were overwhelmed by the disaster, forcing residents to place dead bodies on the streets. |
| At least 450 people died and many more were injured, but officials say they expect the death toll to rise. | At least 450 people died and many more were injured, but officials say they expect the death toll to rise. |
| President Alan Garcia declared that all public buildings would be closed for three days - including schools, military bases and museums. | President Alan Garcia declared that all public buildings would be closed for three days - including schools, military bases and museums. |
| Mr Garcia had earlier announced a state of emergency and sent cabinet ministers to the area. | Mr Garcia had earlier announced a state of emergency and sent cabinet ministers to the area. |
| See map of the affected area | See map of the affected area |
| The UN's Margareta Wahlstrom said power and communications were down and that 80% of houses in some areas had been destroyed because of poor construction. | The UN's Margareta Wahlstrom said power and communications were down and that 80% of houses in some areas had been destroyed because of poor construction. |
| Ms Wahlstrom, UN deputy emergency relief co-ordinator, said that the death toll was likely to rise. | |
| 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 quake | 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 quake |
| She said almost $1m (£500,000) had already been pledged by several UN agencies to help the victims. | She said almost $1m (£500,000) had already been pledged by several UN agencies to help the victims. |
| The 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday evening at 1841 (2341 GMT), just off the coast of Peru. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| How earthquakes happen Earthquake timeline | How earthquakes happen Earthquake timeline |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 100 100 | You 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 video | Click 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. |