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UPDATE – 337 killed and 1350 left injured in Peru

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake centered off Peru's coast killed at least 337 people and left another 1,350 hurt, according to the nation's Health Ministry.

The two-minute quake, which struck Wednesday evening and was followed by a tiny, 1-foot tsunami and strong aftershocks that sent people running into the streets.

President Alan Garcia, said the worst destruction appeared to be in Canete, Chincha and Ica, where he declared a state of emergency.

"This has been a most terrifying experience," said Niels Houg Hansen to Danish TV2 from his home in Lima. "It was extremely long. ... Never in my life had I experienced this long an earthquake."

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From Costa Verde, Lima's coastline, where falling rocks and the ocean stopped traffic for hours.

© Andina

The government has closed schools, said Labor Minister Susana Pinilla Cisneros, who announced that Lima's Labor Ministry and other public buildings had sustained damage.

The shaking broke windows in Lima and interrupted mobile phone service, which still is experiencing many problems.

Residents of inland towns like Cusco felt the earthquake strongly, and it was also felt in cities near the coast and the mountains.

The coastal town of Pisco, about 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Lima, appeared to be the hardest-hit, and electricity was out in the town, said Gen. Luis Palomino, head of the Peru's national civil defense institute. He said he could not confirm any deaths.

The quake struck at 6:41 p.m. (7:41 p.m. ET) and was centered 25 miles (40 kilometers) west-northwest of Chincha Alta and 90 miles (145 kilometers) south-southeast of Lima, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was 25 miles (40 kilometers) below the Earth's surface.

More than 11 smaller earthquakes occurred in the hours following the original temblor -- most a few miles from its epicenter, but some also in central Peru. Their magnitudes ranged from 5.0 to 6.3.

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Damage Review - Peru After the Earthquake

(LIP-ir)  --  At 11 p.m. Peru's El Comercio reported that Arequipa had not felt the earthquake as bad as other regions in Peru. It was reported that the region did not suffer any casualties and that structures were not damaged.

According to El Comercio reporter, Carlos Zanabria, approximately 300 thousand people were participating in a parade in the streets of the city when the earthquake struck. Due to the fact that they were marching and in an open area, effects were not felt as badly.

Casualties

At approximately 11 p.m., Peru's Health Minister, Carlos Vallejos, reported that the death of 15 people has been confirmed. RPP News announced that the death toll had reached 46 and at least 350 people had been injured. The majority of deaths have been registered in Ica, Peru. A large number of people were killed when the Señor de Luren church collapsed during a church service in Ica.

Via Expresa

Due to the earthquake the Municipality of Lima has suspended the closure of the Via Expresa Highway in Lima, Peru. Traffic will proceed as normal.

School

Peru's President Alan Garcia stated that he will be in continuous meeting with his cabinet to find ways to assist Peruvians during this time of "anguish." He announced that all schools would be closed tomorrow. The President urged school administrations to check buildings before continuing classes.

Police

Police officers which were on leave or vacation have been called to make sure that Peru's streets stay safe and are protected from people that may try to take advantage of this time of crisis.

Hospitals

Peru's President has declared that all hospitals will assist all patients and that no one will be rejected. He added that Peru's armed forces will be on standby to handle situations which may arise.

Transportation

The Minister of Transportation announced that he would bring together all of the Ministry's workers so that affected areas could be cleaned and that repairs on streets, roads, avenues, highways and bridges would begin first thing tomorrow morning.

Communication

President Alan Garcia stated that communication services, such as cellular phone service providers and land line providers, would be investigated and reviewed since the collapse of these systems has left most of the country without a means of communication.

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Evacuation stopped in Callao, Peru - Tsunami Warning Canceled

(LIP-ir)  --  The Directorate of Peru's National Navy has canceled tonight's Tsunami warning after a 7.5 degree earthquake shook Lima and all of Peru.

The Directorate reported to Andina News Agency that the ocean had returned to its normal level at 9 p.m., taking with it the threats of a Tsunami.

It was reported that when the earthquake began, sea levels rose by one meter and as movement continued sea levels rose another half of a meter.

Nevertheless, it has been reported that the ocean has returned to its normal state. Despite the information, many families living in La Punta, Callao have left their homes and are at Yawar Huaca Park. The evacuation has officially been stopped and officials are instructing citizens to return to their homes.

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Update - Powerful earthquake shakes Peru, 48 dead and 360 wounded

(CK/LIP) - A powerful earthquake has struck Peru, rattling buildings in the capital, triggering a tsunami warning, and killing at least 48 people.

The quake had a magnitude of about 7.9 and lasted around 2 min. each.

People everywhere are hugging and crying in fear and many living in La Punta, Callao have been forced to leave their homes due to the tsunami warning.

(The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for the coasts of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. A tsunami watch was issued for the rest of Central America and Mexico and an advisory for Hawaii.)

The most affected cities are Pisco, 257 km south of Lima and Ica, 310 km south of Lima, where many buildings collapsed.

Alan Garcia has just informed that all public schools will be closed tomorrow August 16 due to this earthquake.

If you are missing someone here in Peru, please visit Red Cross’ homepage - http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html   

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Evacuation Begins in Callao Peru After Tsunami Warning

(LIP-ir) -- Peru's Civil Defense has begun evacuating people in the area of La Punta, Callao to different parts of Lima.

The evacuation was begun after an earthquake, registered at 7.5 degrees on the Richter scale, hit Peru and Tsunami alerts were issued.

Tsunami warnings were issued for Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii.

Evacuation measures after the earthquake, were confirmed by Peru's Fire Department Commander, Carlos Córdova while Callao's Mayor, Alex Kouri stated that the evacuation was a preventative measure.

The evacuation of this area in Callao, Peru was begun when large waves and ocean movement was reported 30 minutes after the earthquake and threats of a Tsunami were reported.

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7.5 Degree Earthquake Epicentrum Reported to be in Peru's Ocean

(LIP-ir) -- An earthquake, registered by Peru's Geophysics Institute, to be a Level VI on the Mercalli intensity scale and 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit Peru at 6:41 p.m. today. Movement was registered for approximately 2 minutes.

It has already been reported that the earthquake has caused power outages, cracked streets and buildings in some areas of Lima. Peru's Health Minister, Carlos Vallejos has declared all hospitals in a state of emergency due to the earthquake.

Peru's El Comercio newspaper reported that the epicentrum of the earthquake was in the ocean, 33 kilometers west of Chincha and 18 kilometers deep.

Hernando Tavera, of Peru's Geophysics Institute, explained that this has been a "huge earthquake" in an area that has only had tremors for the past 50 years. He explained that aftershocks would be felt throughout the week.

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7.5 Degree (Richter) Level VI (Mercalli) Earthquake in Pisco, Peru

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2 Minute Tremor with Earthquake Characteristics Felt Across Peru

(LIP-ir) -- A strong tremor, with characteristics of an earthquake shook up Lima and other regions in Peru for 2 minutes straight, causing panic among citizens which darted out of homes and businesses.

Currently it is not known the intensity of the tremor, but at least 3 episodes were counted.

Movement began at 6:40 p.m. causing cars to jump and shattering windows of some downtown Lima buildings. According to early reports, the tremor, compared by some to an earthquake, was felt in regions such as Pucallpa, Iquitos and Contamana. It was also felt in cities such as Arequipa, Trujillo and Cajamarca.

Casualties have not been reported yet.

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Peru's Teacher's Union (SUTEP) Agrees to Suspend Violent Strikes

(LIP-ir) -- Teachers belonging to Peru's teacher's union (SUTEP) have decided and announced to temporarily suspend their strike and protest, which began July 5, to the new teacher's law approved by the government.

Protests began when teachers questioned the constitutionality of the new law, declaring it was being imposed on them and they did not have a fair say.

SUTEP leaders have also expressed concerns over whether the public school system will be privatized or not.

In a press conference with Peru's Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo, Minister of Education José Luis Chang, Congressional President Mercedes Cabanillas and SUTEP General Secretary Luis Muñoz, the strike's suspension and the beginning of negotiations were confirmed this afternoon.

Muñoz gave Peru's Premier a document stating the temporary suspension of the strike, as soon as a committee was formed to discuss matters listed on an agenda.

The union leader stated that SUTEP will be making sure that everything is clarified, for the good of Peru's children.

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Peru: Chilean Judge says "No" to Fujimori's extradition

(LIP-ir) -- Chilean Judge Orlando Álvarez ruled on Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori's extradition today.

Peru's request to extradite the former president, on charges of bribery, misuse of government funds and taking part in death-squad killings, was denied by Judge Álvarez.

In an extensive file Judge Álvarez responds to each of Peru's 122 claims against Fujimori. The judge's decision will now be reviewed by the Chilean Supreme Court.

According to what has been officially released, Peru's former President will remain under house arrest for the next few weeks, until the Supreme Court reviews the sentence.

This ruling directly contradicts what Chilean Supreme Court Prosecutor, Monica Maldonado officially recommended in June.

It is expected that Peru's lawyers in Chile, Alfredo Etcheberry and René García as well as anti-corruption prosecutors Carlos Briceño and Omar Chehade will appeal the sentence.

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