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Search for Peru quake survivors Search for Peru quake survivors
(about 1 hour later)
Rescuers have been working through the night trying to find survivors of the devastating earthquake that hit Peru's central coast.Rescuers have been working through the night trying to find survivors of the devastating earthquake that hit Peru's central coast.
They were given hope when a man was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed church in the town of Pisco, more than 24 hours after the tremor.They were given hope when a man was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed church in the town of Pisco, more than 24 hours after the tremor.
The death toll from Wednesday's 8.0-magnitude quake has risen above 500, according to Peru's fire service.The death toll from Wednesday's 8.0-magnitude quake has risen above 500, according to Peru's fire service.
A series of aftershocks have hit the affected areas, causing panic.A series of aftershocks have hit the affected areas, causing panic.
The worst damage from the earthquake was in the coastal cities of Ica and Pisco, south of the capital Lima.The worst damage from the earthquake was in the coastal cities of Ica and Pisco, south of the capital Lima.
See map of the affected area See map of the affected area
Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, while power supplies, telecommunications and road links have been severely disrupted.Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, while power supplies, telecommunications and road links have been severely disrupted.
Hospitals and morgues have been overwhelmed, and the bodies of many victims that have been recovered from the rubble are lying on the streets.Hospitals and morgues have been overwhelmed, and the bodies of many victims that have been recovered from the rubble are lying on the streets.
The head of the Peruvian fire service, Roberto Ocno, told AFP news agency: "The toll has jumped to between 500 and 510 dead and 1,600 injured. There are dead trapped under houses."The head of the Peruvian fire service, Roberto Ocno, told AFP news agency: "The toll has jumped to between 500 and 510 dead and 1,600 injured. There are dead trapped under houses."
'A miracle''A miracle'
In Pisco, firefighters, police officers, soldiers and volunteers worked under floodlights to dig through the ruins of the church in the main square.In Pisco, firefighters, police officers, soldiers and volunteers worked under floodlights to dig through the ruins of the church in the main square.
I never experienced such a long and strong earthquake in Peru. It felt like it would never end Marcia, Lima href="/1/hi/world/americas/6950805.stm">Supplies short in quake town Eyewitness accounts In pictures: Peru quake Hundreds of people were buried when the building collapsed during a Mass, but the discovery of the male survivor lifted the rescuers. I never experienced such a long and strong earthquake in Peru. It felt like it would never end Marcia, Lima href="/1/hi/world/americas/6951443.stm">Desperation in quake town Eyewitness accounts In pictures: Peru quake Hundreds of people were buried when the building collapsed during a Mass, but the discovery of the male survivor lifted the rescuers.
"This is virtually a miracle, hopefully we can find more," said Carlos Cordova Gomez, chief of Peru's voluntary firefighters."This is virtually a miracle, hopefully we can find more," said Carlos Cordova Gomez, chief of Peru's voluntary firefighters.
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 the city was in ruins.He estimated that 70% of the 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.
The BBC's Luis del Valle, in Pisco, says people are in shock and local civil defence officials have acknowledged they have been overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.The BBC's Luis del Valle, in Pisco, says people are in shock and local civil defence officials have acknowledged they have been overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.
The mayor of Ica, Mariano Nacimento, told the BBC's Spanish Americas service that his town was desperately in need of clean water, medicine and tents.The mayor of Ica, Mariano Nacimento, told the BBC's Spanish Americas service that his town was desperately in need of clean water, medicine and tents.
The authorities are also trying to reach remote villages and hamlets in the region, from where there has so far been no news.The authorities are also trying to reach remote villages and hamlets in the region, from where there has so far been no news.
Relief effortRelief effort
The government said helicopters and planes were taking emergency aid to affected areas, and injured people are being airlifted out.The government said helicopters and planes were taking emergency aid to affected areas, and injured people are being airlifted out.
How earthquakes happen Earthquake timelineHow earthquakes happen Earthquake timeline
President Alan Garcia has visited the region and sent condolences to the families of the victims. Three days of national mourning have been declared.President Alan Garcia has visited the region and sent condolences to the families of the victims. Three days of national mourning have been declared.
An international humanitarian relief effort has been mobilised.An international humanitarian relief effort has been mobilised.
Peru's neighbours - including Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Chile - have sent relief supplies.Peru's neighbours - including Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Chile - have sent relief supplies.
Help is also coming from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy and France.Help is also coming from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy and France.
The United Nations said it was ready to help, while the International Federation of the Red Cross said it had sent two planes loaded with supplies.The United Nations said it was ready to help, while the International Federation of the Red Cross said it had sent two planes loaded with supplies.
The earthquake happened in one of the most seismically active regions of the world.The earthquake happened in one of the most seismically active regions of the world.
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.
EARTHQUAKE DISASTER ZONE, AND TECTONIC PLATES Earthquake struck on Wednesday at 1841 local timeThe 8.0-magnitude earthquake was centred just off the coast of PeruTwo tectonic plates clash at this region, the Nazca plate and the South American plateThere is about 7-8cm (3in) movement between the plates a yearEARTHQUAKE DISASTER ZONE, AND TECTONIC PLATES Earthquake struck on Wednesday at 1841 local timeThe 8.0-magnitude earthquake was centred just off the coast of PeruTwo tectonic plates clash at this region, the Nazca plate and the South American plateThere is about 7-8cm (3in) movement between the plates a year
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