Peru declares state of emergency after earthquake

Agence France-Presse

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A 60-day state of emergency has been declared for areas struck by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake

DESTRUCTION. A woman weeps next to her house destroyed during the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Arequipa, Peru. Photo from Agence France-Presse

LIMA, Peru – Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in various areas on September 27, Friday, two days after a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the country’s southern coast.

The measure, announced by Peru’s council of ministers, aims to respond to needs in the country’s vast southern region where mud houses collapsed in rural areas in three departments.

Teams from the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) are evaluating people’s health and providing health services, said Prime Minister Juan Jimenez, who toured the area Thursday.

Emergency work will center on housing infrastructure, transportation links, schools and basic services affected by the earthquake, which civil defense workers say left at least 6 people injured.

Jimenez said the authorities were focusing on the water supply in damaged towns and that he has instructed regional governments to coordinate with civil defense workers.

The earthquake, which hit just before noon on Wednesday, occurred in the Pacific Ocean, with an epicenter 72 kilometers (45 miles) south of the town of Lomas. – Rappler.com

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