Major Peru Earthquake Prompts Tsunami Warning

The powerful Peru earthquake late Wednesday shook buildings in the capital, Lima, prompting some workers to run out into the street. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of the Peru earthquake was near the Pacific coast of central Peru about 148 kilometers southeast of Lima, and 43 kilometers northwest of Chincha Alta.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii has issued a tsunami alert for Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. It says an earthquake of this magnitude has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. - VOA News