4.9-M earthquake in Peru destroys 45 homes; 8 dead

LIMA, Sept. 29 (UPI) —

An 4.9-magnitude earthquake shook southern Peru early Sunday, causing significant structural damage to a remote village and killing at least eight people.

The earthquake struck the Cusco region and caused the most damage in the remote Andean village of Misca, where 45 houses were destroyed, including an 18th century church. Emergency workers reported four children and four adults were killed in building collapses.

Many of the buildings that collapsed were constructed from mud and straw.

A state of emergency has been declared and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala vowed to help rebuild Misca — but in an area away from a geological fault line.

Earthquakes in Peru are common.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake’s epicenter was 12 miles southwest of Urcos at a depth of 26.8 miles.