Earthquake in Peru kills at least 48

By Jean Luis Arce

CANETE, Peru (Reuters) - A massive earthquake hit Peru on Wednesday evening and officials said at least 48 people were killed in the rubble of collapsed homes and a church as rescuers searched for victims early on Thursday.

Peru's health minister said 15 people died in the 7.9-magnitude quake, but the toll later rose to at least 48, Peruvian state radio reported. Hundreds were injured.

Emergency workers said the coastal province of Ica south of Lima was the hardest hit region.

One fire department official in the area said at least four people were trapped when the main tower of the Senor de Luren church in the city of Ica was toppled.

Rescuers struggled to move south toward Ica as portions of the Pan-American Highway, an important coastal route, were impassable, radio reports said.

"I was with my children when the movement started and then the walls collapsed. My house was destroyed," Milagros Meneses, 35, told Reuters in the city of Canete south of the capital, Lima. "The hospital gave me a tent for my kids to sleep in."

At least two people were killed in Canete.

Office workers ran onto the streets in fear as tall buildings in Lima shook in two waves that lasted around 20 seconds each and cut power lines.