According to the latest reports, the massive earthquake that rocked Peru on Wednesday night has killed at least 115 people, injuring more than 1000. It was not the first earthquake in Peru. Earlier in 1970, the 4th most deadly earthquake of the world in the 20th century killed around 66,000 people and destroyed about 200,000 homes and buildings.
The last time Peru was hit by such a strong earthquake was in 2001 when an 8.1 magnitude temblor hit the southern area of the country causing extensive damage in the Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna regions.
In September 25, 2005, northern Peru was struck by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5, resulting in death of at least two people.
However, the Senor de Luren church in the coastal province of Ica comes among the hardest hit region by this latest quake. The magnitude of the quake was 7.9 apparently shaking the earth for about 20 seconds that also cut power lines and cellular telephone services.
Juan Francisco Acevedo, 29, who works for an Internet company in Lima said,
I was playing soccer when the quake hit and I had to run back to my office because I am the chief of security. Now I am going to check on my family.
For the safer side, tsunami warning was issued for Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia because a small tsunami was detected that was later declared harmless.
Peruvian President Alan Garcia sent condolences to the families of the quake’s victims and said,
It fortunately did not cause a catastrophe with an immense number of victims.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that the quake struck about 90 miles southeast of Lima at a depth of around 25 miles.
Via: The Age
