Powerful Earthquake in Peru

A POWERFUL earthquake struck Peru's southern coast, killing at least 387 people and injuring some 1050 people as the Government declared a state of emergency today.



Tens of thousands of panicked residents flocked onto the streets fearing more tremors, after the 7.7-magnitude quake rattled the country for two terrifying minutes late Wednesday.

The towns of Pisco, Chincha, and other areas in Peru's southern coastal region were in ruins after the biggest earthquake to hit the South American nation in decades.

Buildings collapsed, major highways were torn asunder and power lines knocked out by the massive quake.

“We have hundreds of dead lying in the streets, injured in the hospital. It is totally indescribable,” said Juan Mendoza, the mayor of Pisco - one of the towns hardest hit by the quake.

“Seventy per cent of the town is devastated,” Mr Mendoza said.

“We don't have water, no communications, the houses are collapsed, the churches are destroyed,” said the mayor, who said his town of 130,000 was in urgent need of medical assistance.

Roberto Ocano, head of the country's firefighter service said today that 387 people were killed and some 1050 injured in the most-devastated coastal towns of Ica, Pisco and Chincha.

He suggested the number will rise as authorities investigate.

================

Wow, can you imagine experiencing an earthquake that powerful and for 2 straight minutes... ? Then the aftershocks...
I wish I could be in Peru helping out somehow... I have experienced earthquake before but not that size.... that is powerful. They say the earthquake was 19 miles deep....

oh THats So Sad i have never experienced and Earthquake and i hope i never will I wish I Could Help out too

This is sad indeed. My thoughts and prayers are with the familys.

We are trying to get food and clothes to send to Peru here in Buenos Aires. Several churches are working on it. I'm currently working in this task in "Nuestra Señora de Balvanera" a Catholic Church near my house, were I was christened 35 years ago.

What a sad thing...I've heard at the news that they are expecting a Tsunami for the coast zone of North Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia...It seems that the Pacific coast is becoming very dangerous. I'll pray for them all.

Vanesa.

Vanesa wrote:

What a sad thing...I've heard at the news that they are expecting a Tsunami for the coast zone of North Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia...It seems that the Pacific coast is becoming very dangerous.

Wow, that is very scary Vanesa.

Here in California, it's been predicted for a long time that the 'Big One' is going to hit. I'm in the central Valley and if that 'big one' hits, we would then be the coast instead of the other cities that are on the coast now. My aunt in San Francisco has a house that is right on the fault line and she has been told, no, advised to move from there if she can.

I pray for everyone down there...

Carol, that is kinda scary about your aunt living on a fault line. Is she scared at all or does she love her house to much to leave it?

Hope the hurricane would not hit your aunt's house, Carol...I'm praying. It's so scaring...I 've never experienced an earthquake, nor a Tsunami, but I know some relatives who did, and the things they tells about are really frightening.

Oh, Savannah...Hope your friend is safe by now! It depends in which Peru area is she doing her missionary job. Keep us updated about her, please.

Vanesa.

I hate hearing these things. I often wonder why this sort of thing happens.

Beckie