4.9-magnitude earthquake in Peru kills at least 8, damages 300 homes

September 2014 – PERU - At least eight people are dead, five injured and 300 homes damaged after a shallow 4.9-magnitude earthquake rocked a remote village in Peru on Sunday, according to Diario Correo. Most of the victims were killed after their crudely constructed homes collapsed, the Associated Press reports. Peru’s President Ollanta Humala declared a state of emergency for 90 days and stated it would be extended if needed. The quake was centered 25 miles southeast of Cuzco in the farming town of Misca in the Paruro region and was a relatively shallow five miles deep. Spanish-Language news site El Comercio reports that four of the dead are children, including a three-month-old baby. Landslides in the area have made it difficult for rescue personnel to reach those affected.  El Comercio reports that nearly 45% of the homes in the village have been destroyed and power has been knocked out. Displaced residents were moved to a local soccer field for safety, according to RPP Noticias. –Weather