A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of seven hit northern Peru early today, cutting power and phone services.

A powerful earthquake rattled Chile's remote northern Andes region near the Bolivian and Peruvian borders, killing at least eight people and causing widespread damage in several mountain villages.

UNPOPULAR President Alejandro Toledo has declared a state of emergency across Peru, promising to send out the armed forces to help rein in a wave of violent strikes that has crippled transit and public services in a new challenge to a stormy presidency.

Peru was today rushing aid to its southern cities and towns after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake toppled homes and killed at least 71 people, leaving thousands too terrified to return home amid recurring aftershocks.

At least 47 people were killed as a powerful earthquake shook southern Peru, sending dozens of homes, churches and buildings tumbling to the ground.

A bus with failed brakes plunged nearly 200 feet into a ravine in Peru, killing 18 people.