The day after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake shook southern Peru, killing at least 400 people and injuring 1,500, residents of one hard-hit city yelled "Help us! Help us!" as President Alan Garcia toured the area.
Garcia, who traveled the 260 kilometers (160 miles) southeast of Lima in a helicopter Thursday, said arrangements were being made to get water and food into Pisco.
"Since the highway is shut, it doesn't permit help at this time," Garcia said, adding that efforts were under way to re-establish downed bridges so that trucks bearing aid could reach the city.
Shortly afterward, a spokesman for the Peruvian Embassy in Washington said supplies had already begun to flow toward Pisco from the south.
Garcia said one of the priorities was ordering at least 150 coffins. More than 200 people died in Pisco, and almost 70 percent of the city of 68,000 residents was destroyed, Minister of Health Carlos Vallejos told Andina television.
"There aren't any buildings that are in good condition. Even the very modern buildings around the central plaza are totally destroyed," Vallejos said, calling Pisco a city in crisis.
"They're still looking for more victims because entire buildings have collapsed. The situation is very, very serious. There's no electricity, there's no water, telephone service is very limited.
Garcia, who traveled the 260 kilometers (160 miles) southeast of Lima in a helicopter Thursday, said arrangements were being made to get water and food into Pisco.
"Since the highway is shut, it doesn't permit help at this time," Garcia said, adding that efforts were under way to re-establish downed bridges so that trucks bearing aid could reach the city.
Shortly afterward, a spokesman for the Peruvian Embassy in Washington said supplies had already begun to flow toward Pisco from the south.
Garcia said one of the priorities was ordering at least 150 coffins. More than 200 people died in Pisco, and almost 70 percent of the city of 68,000 residents was destroyed, Minister of Health Carlos Vallejos told Andina television.
"There aren't any buildings that are in good condition. Even the very modern buildings around the central plaza are totally destroyed," Vallejos said, calling Pisco a city in crisis.
"They're still looking for more victims because entire buildings have collapsed. The situation is very, very serious. There's no electricity, there's no water, telephone service is very limited.
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Saludos y cuidense
Absolutely stunning