RPT Peru quake kills more than 300 UPDATE |
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Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:32
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(repeating to clarify revised death toll in headline)LIMA (Thomson Financial) - A powerful earthquake devastated several Peruvian cities killing at least 337 people according to civil defence figures, and forcing the government to declare a state of emergency.More than 1,000 people were injured and tens of thousands of panicked residents flocked onto the streets fearing aftershocks after the 7.9-magnitude quake rattled the country for two terrifying minutes late yesterday.The towns of Pisco, Chincha, and other localities in Peru's southern coastal region were said to be in ruins after the biggest earthquake to hit the South American nation in decades.The government sent a convoy of trucks to the region carrying medical supplies, doctors and nurses.The quake and aftershocks sparked panic in the capital, Lima, where people camped on the streets for hours after the first big tremor and most buildings were evacuated as a precaution.Cut telephone lines were slowly reconnected in the capital but power and water services continued.The quake struck just offshore at 18:41 local time (24:41 BST) and prompted evacuations along the Pacific coast because of fears of a tsunami. However the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later lifted its warnings however.The government declared its highest state of emergency as authorities grappled with collapsed buildings and cut power and telephone lines.President Alan Garcia went on national television to appeal for calm.'Fortunately, the number of dead is not high for a quake of this power,' he said. 'Thanks to God almighty, it has not been as serious as in the past.'tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.comslj/ejp/lceCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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Powerful earthquake kills 15 in Peru; tsunami warning cancelled - UPDATE 