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CNN Live At Daybreak

Death Toll Rising in Peru, Following 7.9-Magnitude Earthquake

Aired June 25, 2001 - 8:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The death toll is rising in Peru. Rescuers are still digging through the rubble from a 7.9-magnitude earthquake that toppled buildings in Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city.

CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in Lima.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Residents of dozens of communities in southern Peru stayed outside of what was left of their homes after Saturday's killer quake. Dozens of aftershocks have kept nerves on edge. The Peruvian Civil Defense Institute says dozens died, hundreds were injured, and thousands left homeless.

The quake had a magnitude of 7.9, but the epicenter was located far from land, off the coast in the Pacific Ocean.

In Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, survivors were stunned at the power of the tremor. I don't know what to do; I have lost everything, said this woman.

WHITBECK: The city known for its cathedral that was declared a world heritage site by the United Nations last year suffered severe damage. The cathedral lost one of its towers, and much of the city's colonial center was affected.

With emergency efforts centering around the search for victims and survivors, those left homeless waited for temporary shelter, which is important due to the freezing cold temperatures at the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

President Valentin Paniagua said the government is making every effort, sending tents and electronic equipment to help the affected towns.

WHITBECK: But getting to those towns is a problem. Dozens of roads were cut off due to landslides, making ground transportation virtually impossible. Meanwhile, rescuers continue to search for more victims. The concern now is the death toll could rise, once relief workers reach outlying communities.

Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Lima, Peru.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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