Rescuers end search as Peru's quake toll edges to 540 |
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Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:41
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PISCO (Thomson Financial) - Rescue efforts have ceased in Peru following Wednesday's magnitude 8.0 earthquake, with the death toll now at least 503, and the injured numbering at least 1,600.Most of the deaths occurred in the town of Pisco, 150 miles south of the capital Lima, with around 200,000 people left homeless in the region.The disaster is set to hit Peru's agriculture and tourism sectors hard. The chamber of commerce for the quake-hit region said 90 percent of industry there was paralyzed, especially wine-growing activities.The government has deployed security patrols to stop looting in the affected area.Health Minister Carlos Vallejos said some 1,500 doctors and nurses were struggling to prevent the spread of epidemics among earthquake victims. He said that the main problems were water, and the disposal of human waste.There were fears of an outbreak of infectious diseases in the quake-stricken areas such as diarrhea and cholera, while a choking dust from the rubble of the town was causing respiratory problems.Peru has asked for food, tents, medicine, clothing and water for the homeless.tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.comjr/dcaCOPYRIGHTCopyright 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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Peru earthquake death toll rises 