Peru earthquake death toll rises |
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Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:29
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PISCO, Peru Thomson Financial - Peru on Thursday scrambled to cope with a massive quake that killed at least 500 people, as more than 300 aftershocks worried survivors and rescuers trying to unearth people trapped in the rubble.'The toll has jumped to between 500 and 510 dead and 1,600 injured,' the head of the country's firefighter service, Roberto Ocno, told Agence France-Presse by telephone from Peru's southern coastal area struck late Wednesday by a massive tremor.The US Geological Survey on Thursday upgraded the quake to a rare 8.0 on the moment magnitude scale, as the Peruvian government said helicopters and planes were airlifting emergency aid to the hard-hit coastal towns.President Alan Garcia declared three days of national mourning for the earthquake victims, closing all public buildings including schools, military bases and museums.Buildings collapsed, major highways to the coast were torn asunder and power lines knocked out by the quake, leaving overwhelmed local officials issuing urgent appeals for help.The United Nations said it was ready to help and the Geneva-based International Federation of the Red Cross said it sent two planes loaded with relief supplies for the earthquake victims.Foreign governments and aid groups launched relief efforts, including the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy and France. Peru's regional neighbors have also mobilized including Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Chile.The quake struck at 6:41 pm (2341 GMT) on Wednesday. Its epicenter was located offshore about 148 kilometers (92 miles) southwest of Lima at a depth of 40 kilometers (25 miles), according to US Geological Survey.tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.comjlwCOPYRIGHTCopyright 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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