A 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Peru at 18.41 on Wednesday 15th August. Epicentre was beneath the Pacific Ocean, about 90 miles south-east of Lima.

More than 500 people killed and 1,500 injured. All but one of the deaths occurred in the coastal province of Ica, to the south of Lima. At least 60 people died in the regional capital, also called Ica, 165 miles south of Lima.

The towns of Pisco and Chincha were badly hit, with the majority of buildings destroyed. Power failures occurred in these towns as well as several other towns along the south coast. In Lima there was also power failure and some buildings collapsed.

buildings shook violently during the prolonged tremors, prompting residents to take to the streets.

Parts of the South Pan-American Highway were blocked by falling boulders and cracks at several points along the coast. No travel to Pisco is possible by road or air, the main road has split and part of it has dropped nearly 2 meters.

Helicopters from Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia are assisting in the rescue attempts

Telephone and mobile phone services were knocked out in Lima and across the south coast of Peru but have been restored.

All flights from Jorge Chavez International Airport were temporarily suspended, but now running as normal.

In Cusco the earthquake was not very strong but we felt it.

we all in Amigos are fine our families are ok but a little bit scared and sad.