Earthquake off Peru coast kills over 400

August 16, 2007

Lima, Peru - An evening earthquake struck off the coast of central Peru and killed at least 400 people and injured another 1,350.

The 7.9 magnitude quake killed more than 200 when a church collapsed in the town of Pisco as they were attending religious services.

Up to 1,300 more people have been injured in the quake, which devastated the coastal province of Ica, south of Lima.

Rescuers are searching through the rubble of collapsed homes and buildings after the earthquake struck at 6:41 pm yesterday local time.

The quake struck Wednesday evening and was followed by a series of strong aftershocks that sent people fleeing into the streets.

It caused the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to issue warnings for South American coastlines and placed an advisory for as far away as Hawaii.

President Alan Garcia said the worst destruction appeared to be in Canete, Chincha and Ica.

"We have declared a state of emergency in the Ica Department and we are going ... to ensure that regional and local governments, civil defense institutions and ministries can spend what they need to, rapidly and immediately, in order to solve the problems that exist there."