Peru: Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 2

SITUATION

1. At 11:40:58 PM UTC/GMT (Greenwich time) 6:34:56 PM local time, an earthquake of 7.9 degrees in the Richter scale struck in the Department of Ica. The epicenter was 25 miles (61 kilometers) westnorthwest of Chincha Alta, Peru, and 90 miles (161 kilometers) south-southeast of Lima, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was 30.2 km depth (18.8 miles). The effects were also strongly felt in Lima capital.

2. Several aftershocks have been registered, of which five as strong as 4.0 or higher on the Richter scale. Early data reveal that Cañete, Chincha and Pisco are the cities most damaged. However, the situation remains unknown in other parts of the province, like Nazca and Palpa, which have so far been inaccessible.

3. In Ica and Pisco, power lines continue to be affected (no lights or light equipment). Even though these conditions are limiting the search, the latest official figures provided indicate an increase in the number of casualties in the area. So far national and local authorities have confirmed:

510 dead
1000 wounded
16,669 houses destroyed
16,669 families affected
4 hospitals destroyed
10 roads affected
1 community building affected
1 building affected
4 churches affected
2 hotels affected
2 Schools affected
4 hospitals affected

4. People seriously injured are being evacuated to the capital, Lima.

Map: Peru: Earthquake - Situation Map

For detailed information please contact:

Desk Officer (New York):
Mr. Ignacio León
Office Tel: +1 917 367-9960
Office Fax: +1 212 963-36 30
E-mail: leoni@un.org

GCMS (Geneva):
Ms. Aoibheann O'Keeffe
Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329
E-mail: okeeffe@un.org

OCHA Regional Office for
Latin America and the Caribbean:
Mr. Douglas Reimer
Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Office Tel. +507 317-1748
Office Fax +507 317-1744
Mobile: +507 6676-1689
E-mail: reamer@un.org

Press Contact:
(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126
Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312
Email: bunker@un.org

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Office Tel + 41 22 917 26 53
Office Fax + 41 22 917 00 20
E-mail: byrs@un.org