LIMA - Residents of Peru's capital fled in panic late Wednesday as coastal Peru and Lima were rocked by a strong earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale.
The ground in Lima shook violently for some two minutes, and was followed shortly by at least three smaller aftershocks.
The earthquake dropped trees, fractured windows and left visible damage in homes and buildings. Telecommunications in Lima were also cut but were being slowly reestablished, while power and water services appeared to continue without interruption.
The Pacific Tsumani Information Center said that based on historical data the Peru quake posed "no destructive widespread tsunami threat."
The US Geological Survey put the quake at 7.5 on the Moment Magnitude scale. It said the quake struck at 6:41 pm (2341 GMT), with the epicenter located 148 kilometers (92 miles) east-southeast of Lima at a depth of 40 kilometers (25 miles).
08/16/2007 00:47 GMT