[NYTr] Rising Death Toll, Int'l Solidarity Follows Peru Quake
 
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:08:38 -0500 (CDT)


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Prensa Latina, Havana
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Intl Solidarity Follows Peru Quake

Lima, Aug 16 (Prensa Latina) The 7.7 degree (Richter) earthquake that
devastated Peru Wednesday night and killed 385 people, known so far,
brought forth displays of international solidarity Thursday.

The cabinet press office says the United Nations, European Union,
Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Spain are sending
aid for the thousands of injured.

Government officials are heading to the most affected cities, Pisco,
Chincha, Ica, Lima and Callao, where food is in short supply and basic
services like electricity, water, telephone and hospitals collapsed.

Health Minister Carlos Vallejos sent medical staff, ambulances,
medication and other aid to ease the situation at overcrowded hospitals.

Communications and Transportation Minister Veronica Zavala lashed at
the bus companies that hiked prices on the routes to the affected areas.

She also criticized foreign investors like Telefonica de Espana that
failed to give service to the government, police, radio and TV which
they blame on collapsing lines.

The minister called attention to the urgent need to set up emergency
telephone networks for police, civil defense, health workers and
firemen.

In Lima, many people slept in the open fearing a tsunami as the
Geophysical Institute rated the 7.7 degree quake the strongest in the
past 40 years.

                                ***

Earth Still Shaking in Peru

Lima, Aug 16 (Prensa Latina) Hundreds of aftershocks from the
earthquake that hit Peru on Wednesday have kept residents of Lima and
of worst-hit southern Ica region on alert, with about 400 people killed.

The country's Geophysics Institute (IGP) has reported 342 aftershocks
14 hours after the powerful quake hit Peru on last night, with two
tremors of particular intensity (6 degrees) at dawn.

Institute Director of Seismology Hernando Tavera said it is impossible
to say how long aftershocks would go on, but the earth will certainly
continue shaking for some days.

hr/ccs/rma/mrs

                           ***

Venezuela Sends Peru Solidarity Aid

Caracas, Aug 16 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela announced Thursday it sent a
mission of solidarity to Peru, hit by a violent earthquake yesterday,
with specialized personnel, doctors, instruments and medicines to
support the Peruvian people.

A Foreign Ministry brief said the Venezuelan government ordered the
necessary supplies in light of the 7.9 degree earthquake and that part
of the Simon Bolivar Humanitarian Task Force of experts will go to Peru
to join the rescue work.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expressed solidarity and brotherhood
on behalf of the Venezuelan people and government.

A note from the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said the people of
Venezuela are joined in a collective prayer for Peru to overcome such a
difficult situation.

hr/ccs/tac/mem

 
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