An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 (magnitude revised by the USGS) struck off the coast of Peru on August 15 at 18:40 local time. The epicenter was located in the sea approximately 60km from the city of Pisco. The quake caused the interruption of both power and telephone services, which are gradually being reestablished, within Peru and in the capital city of Lima . There have been reports of hundreds of collapsed homes in the cities of Pisco, Cañete, and Chincha. Several health facilities in the department of Ica, including hospitals in Pisco and Chincha, have suffered physical damage and are operating on a limited basis. According to the Civil Defense the death toll stands at 337 with more than 1,000 injured from the quake. These numbers are expected to rise as search and rescue continues in a number of cities. Structural damage and needs are being assessed. The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in order to mobilize personnel and supplies to the affected zones.
Actions
- The PAHO/WHO Representation in Peru is meeting with the UN Emergency Team and the Vice Minister of Health to assess priority relief needs.
- Pre-hospital care units have been deployed to the affected zone, including Ica, in order to assist with the rescue effort and to attend to those injured and transport them to health facilities.
- Peru's Minister of Health has deployed to Chincha and Ica, with a health team composed of 50 doctors, 30 nurses, 20 ambulances, a mobile Operations Center and medical supplies.
- President Alan Garcia decided that all hospitals of the Ministry of Health, Armed Forces and Social Security system provide care at no cost to patients.