Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 16, 2007

Rescuers Struggle to Aid Hundreds of Peru Earthquake Victims
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=18B860C:A6F02AD83191E1602C7B7C247AF4649F9574F7DCC14957C0 At Least 337
killed in Wednesday night's 7.9 magnitude quake, many still trapped or
stranded in port cities off central coast of Peru





Injured Peruvians receive medical attention at hospital following
earthquake, 16 Aug 2007Aid workers in Peru are struggling to rescue
hundreds of people after a massive earthquake ravaged the country's
coast, killing at least 337.

Authorities say hundreds of victims of Wednesday night's 7.9 magnitude
quake are still trapped or stranded in port cities off the coast of
central Peru. Roads destroyed by the quake have hampered rescue
efforts.

The earthquake and several aftershocks injured more than 800 people.
The quake lasted a total of two minutes and caused massive damage and
mudslides across the country.



Many buildings collapsed or suffered structural damage including
hospitals, which are now overrun with victims in dire need of
treatment.

President Alan Garcia declared a state of emergency Thursday,
prompting international relief efforts.

Pope Benedict XVI has called on churches and other Roman Catholic
organizations to provide assistance.

The U.S.-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had issued a tsunami
warning for the South and Central American Pacific coast in the
nations of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica
following the quake, but later canceled it.



Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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