Peru quake kills at least 387

PERU: A powerful earthquake struck Peru's southern coast, killing at least 387 people and injuring some 1,050 people as the government declared a state of emergency on Thursday.

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 percent of the town is devastated," 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 Thursday that 387 people were killed and some 1,050 injured in the most-devastated coastal towns of Ica, Pisco and Chincha. He suggested the number will rise as authorities investigate.

The Senor de Luren church in Ica collapsed during a service, killing at least four worshippers and injuring dozens.

Health minister Carlos Vallejos traveled overnight to Ica to survey the damage. The government also sent a convoy of trucks to the region carrying medical supplies, doctors and nurses.

Lima, Thursday, AFP