Deadly earthquake rocks Peru
A powerful earthquake rattled Peru on Wednesday, killing more than 300.
REUTERS/Ho New (courtesy of www.alertnet.org)
August 17, 2007
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake has struck the coast of Peru, killing over 500 and injuring hundreds more. Initial reports indicate that no Plan areas suffered major damage or losses. Phone services are down in many areas, as well as electricity.
So far all but one of the deaths were in the coastal province of Ica, about 165 miles south of the capital, Lima. The main highway to Ica has been cut by the quake. There were two smaller tremors a little later.
While no Plan Program Units were in the affected area, we are urgently trying to contact all offices to confirm their status.
The country office says that the electricity and servers went down as the quake struck (18.40 local). Staff and other residents ran out in the garden and on the streets as the buildings, trees, and the ground began to shake and move violently.
Katherine Yong, Resource Mobilisation Manager, at the CO said “It felt like it lasted for over a minute. Everything was shaking and swaying. The trees were swinging from side to side like bells.”
Please stay tuned for additional information. Thank you.
Make a secure donation to Plan's Disaster Relief & Recovery fund to help provide immediate as well as long-term assistance to children and families affected by disasters.
So far all but one of the deaths were in the coastal province of Ica, about 165 miles south of the capital, Lima. The main highway to Ica has been cut by the quake. There were two smaller tremors a little later.
While no Plan Program Units were in the affected area, we are urgently trying to contact all offices to confirm their status.
The country office says that the electricity and servers went down as the quake struck (18.40 local). Staff and other residents ran out in the garden and on the streets as the buildings, trees, and the ground began to shake and move violently.
Katherine Yong, Resource Mobilisation Manager, at the CO said “It felt like it lasted for over a minute. Everything was shaking and swaying. The trees were swinging from side to side like bells.”
Please stay tuned for additional information. Thank you.
Make a secure donation to Plan's Disaster Relief & Recovery fund to help provide immediate as well as long-term assistance to children and families affected by disasters.
