8.0-magnitude quake hits Peru

In Peru, a powerful earthquake measuring 8 on the richter scale, toppled houses, blocked roads and knocked out power in parts of the country yesterday. 

One person has been killed and at least 26 injured as the shockwave extended into neighbouring Ecuador. The quake hit in a sparsely populated region of Peru's Amazon basin region but was felt over a wide area. Frightened residents rushed into the streets in Lima.

Peru's civil defence coordinator said a man was killed under fallen debris in Cajamarca. He said 11 people were



injured in Peru, and more than 50 houses were left uninhabitable. Reports say 15 people had been hurt in Ecuador.

Peru's President Martin Vizcarra said that it was the most powerful quake to hit the country in 12 years. The quake struck about 75 kilometres (45 miles) southeast of the town of Lagunas at a depth of at least 110 kilometres.

Peru lies on the so-called Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.