Peru Earthquake Update

Posted Sunday, August 19, 2007, 11:56 PM by Lonely Planet

For the most up to date information on the earthquake in Peru head to the Thorn Tree or visit Andean Travel Web.

Mike Weston, editor of Andean Travel Web reports:

"Peru was struck by an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale on the evening of 15 August 2007. The places most affected by the earthquake are Ica, Pisco, Paracas, and Chincha which lie more than 150km to the south east of Lima. More than 500 people have been reported dead and one thousand five hundred injured in the province of Ica. No tourists have been reported dead or injured. A state of emergency has been declared in this area.

Although buildings shook violently in Lima there was very little damage. A minor tremor was felt in Cusco but there was no damage to buildings or infrastructure and all services to Machu Picchu are running as normal. Nasca, although fairly close to Ica, sustained very little damage and flights over the Nasca Lines have now restarted. Flights between all major cities are running as scheduled. The section of the Pan American Highway connecting Nasca to Lima has now reopened to very limited traffic (emergency and aid vehicles) although it is highly recommended that visitors avoid taking buses along this route and fly between Arequipa and Lima or between Cusco and Lima.

Visitors should cancel any immediate plans to visit Ica, Paracas and the Ballestas islands. Phone lines are still very busy throughout Peru so patience is required when calling Peru."

Labels: Breaking travel news, The Americas

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